Zelenskyy Plans Talks with Trump Amid Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is set to consult with President Trump amid ongoing strikes despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Both Russia and Ukraine reported continued hostilities right after the agreement, indicating fragile trust and skepticism surrounding peace negotiations as both parties navigate conflicting demands.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to discuss matters with President Trump as overnight strikes continued amidst a recently agreed partial ceasefire brokered by the U.S. Zelenskyy noted, “Today I will have contact with President Trump. We will discuss the details of the next steps with him.” This follows a reported breakthrough with Russia, where President Putin accepted a narrowed ceasefire agreement pertaining exclusively to energy and infrastructure operations.
Following the ceasefire agreement, both Russia and Ukraine reported continued attacks. The Kremlin accused Ukraine of a drone attack targeting an oil depot in Krasnodar almost immediately after the Trump-Putin conversation. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, emphasized that there was no reciprocity from Ukraine regarding the 30-day ceasefire focusing solely on energy facilities.
In Ukraine, local authorities reported damage due to airstrikes by Russian drones, affecting hospital buildings in Sumy and resulting in significant destruction to residential areas in Kyiv. In response, Zelenskyy stressed the need for increased pressure on Russia to stabilize peace efforts, stating, “It is such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy, our infrastructure…the normal life of Ukrainians.”
The ongoing conflicts highlight the tenuous trust between both nations, with skepticism surrounding Moscow’s commitment to peace, even under U.S. mediation. Both countries are vying for support from Trump, who has shifted U.S. relations with the Kremlin while manipulating the dynamics of military aid to Ukraine.
Moscow has laid out demands for Ukraine’s territorial concessions and renunciation of NATO aspirations, while Kyiv calls for firm security guarantees against future aggressions. The Institute for the Study of War pointed out that Putin’s consistent demands signify a lack of genuine interest in peaceful negotiations, describing the temporary ceasefire proposal as a strategy to extract concessions ahead of formal dialogues to resolve the conflict.
In summary, President Zelenskyy is set to discuss actions with President Trump as fighting persists between Russia and Ukraine despite a negotiated partial ceasefire. Ongoing attacks undermine trust in peace efforts, raising questions about the sincerity of both nations in negotiations. The complexity of geopolitical interests and demands creates a challenging landscape for achieving lasting peace in the region.
Original Source: www.cnbc.com
