Titled: Skepticism Swirls Over Trump's Deal with Putin: How Kyiv Views the Ukraine Conflict resolution Proposal
- Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S.--a delicate dance of diplomacy*
- Skepticism prevails among Ukrainians concerning Trump's agreement with Putin
The dance between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. following the agreement proposed by former President Trump and Kremlin leader Putin in the bloody Ukraine conflict remains murky. Amidst varying interpretations from Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv regarding the content of the deal, one thing is certain: Nationwide air alarms persisted in Ukraine as of Wednesday night, indicating no truce in sight.
The proposed agreement, as announced by both the U.S. and Russia, aims to cease attacks against each other's energy facilities for a month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed support for the idea but insisted on understanding the particulars of the deal between Trump and Putin.
"Many elements of a peace treaty debated"
According to Trump, following their "superbly productive" conversation, they had agreed on an immediate ceasefire regarding Ukraine's energy infrastructure. "We hope to swiftly progress towards a complete ceasefire and ultimately an end to the devastating war between Russia and Ukraine," he declared. Trump said he had discussed various aspects of a potential peace treaty with Putin. Both Putin and Zelensky have expressed a desire to end the war, claimed Trump.
Zelensky conveys apprehension towards Moscow's alleged peace intent. "We cannot remain silent while the Russian military targets Ukrainian energy facilities," he openly expressed to Ukrainian media while visiting Finland. "We'll retaliate," he answered during the same interview. Zelensky eagerly awaits his meeting with former President Trump.
Future negotiations in Saudi Arabia confirmed
The next round of talks centered on ended the Russian invasion is set to take place this Sunday in Saudi Arabia, as announced by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, via US television. Witkoff refrained from disclosing the participants in the talks, citing unfinalized details.
Last week, reps from the U.S. and Ukraine held discussions in Jeddah aiming for an end to the Russian invasion. Ukrainian interests demand that the leaders of nuclear powers refrain from making any detrimental decisions affecting Ukraine. Zelensky criticized the lack of Ukrainian involvement in discussions between Putin and Trump.
Is Putin pushing for an aid halt or not?
During an interview on Fox News, Trump responded to a host's question regarding Putin's alleged demand to halt all aid to Ukraine in their phone call: "No, he didn't. We didn't talk about aid." It remains unclear whether Trump referred to military, financial, or humanitarian aid in his statement.
Russia claimed that Putin raised several demands from their side during the call, including halting Western arms supplies and intelligence provision to Ukraine. There are also reports indicating that Putin wishes to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and the presence of NATO troops in neighboring countries.
The warring parties have found common ground in releasing prisoners over the course of the three-year war. Zelensky confirmed Russian reports that both sides aim to exchange 175 prisoners today, while also announcing the release of 23 severely injured Ukrainian soldiers.
"Peace still distant, as shown by Russia's continuous attacks on Ukraine in the wake of Trump's conversation with Putin. Late on Wednesday night, the Russian military relentlessly targeted Ukraine with swarms of combat drones, resulting in civilian casualties in Kupiansk, a frontline city in the Kharkiv region. Air raid alerts sounded in the capital, Kyiv, as well, with reports of explosions.
"Nighttime attacks only worsen the destruction of our energy infrastructure, our infrastructure, and the ordinary life of Ukrainians," lamented Zelenskyy in a post on the X platform. "The fact that this night is not an exception indicates the necessity of intensifying pressure on Putin to advance toward peace."
Zelensky asserted that Putin resorts to extreme measures to put pressure on Ukraine. "Putin plans offensives towards Zaporizhzhia, in the east towards Kharkiv, and Sumy," claimed Zelensky. "His aim? To apply maximum pressure on Ukraine and then issue an ultimatum from a position of strength."
Ukraine's increasing effectiveness in attacking Russian oil refineries has caused concerns for the Moscow leadership, leading to Putin's potential willingness to cease air attacks on energy facilities, according to German Eastern Europe expert Janis Kluge. Kluge pointed out that talks about stopping such attacks have taken place between Russia and Ukraine before Trump's election victory in November, indicating that the former President did not receive exclusive credit for this concession.
- Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin
- Donald Trump
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- U.S. President
- Moscow
- Russia
- Washington
- Kyiv
- Kremlin
- Saudi Arabia
- Steve Witkoff
- Fox News
- Military
- Finland
[1] Kremlin.ru. (2021, April 8). Russian Federation and Ukraine Overview. Kremlin.ru. https://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/65413
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed apprehension towards Moscow's alleged peace intent, stating, "We cannot remain silent while the Russian military targets Ukrainian energy facilities."
- The next round of talks aimed at ending the Russian invasion is set to take place this Sunday in Saudi Arabia, with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff confirming the meeting.
- Russian and Ukrainian forces aim to exchange 175 prisoners today, with Zelensky confirming the exchange and also announcing the release of 23 severely injured Ukrainian soldiers.
