Zelenskyy and Trump discuss Russian penalties
In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a ten-day deadline for a ceasefire, set by President Trump, is currently in effect. This deadline was announced last Tuesday, and if it passes without a resolution, additional sanctions are expected to be imposed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been in communication with President Trump, briefing him on the current situation in Ukraine. Simultaneously, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been coordinating with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his anticipated visit to Moscow.
The proposed ceasefire, if it comes to fruition, would result in sanctions not only for Russia but also for countries buying Russian oil and gas. This move aims to make it harder for Moscow to finance the war. However, a change of heart from Putin is considered highly unlikely, and Putin has reportedly proposed a long-range strikes moratorium. This moratorium, while it could pause large-scale Russian long-range missile strikes temporarily, might allow Russia to stockpile weapons and resume devastating strikes afterward.
The Kremlin, in its negotiations, is demanding that Ukraine cede strategically vital territory in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea, as part of any ceasefire. Russia also insists on freezing the frontline in some areas, although conflicting reports exist about whether Russia intends to withdraw from occupied territories in Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts.
Despite these ongoing efforts for a ceasefire, analysts assess that Russia currently has limited incentive to end the conflict soon and could sustain its war effort for years. This assessment suggests that the sanctions could be a longer-term strategy.
Zelensky has expressed a willingness to meet with both President Trump and President Putin to commit to a ceasefire, prioritizing ending casualties and reaching a ceasefire agreement. However, the specific terms of Putin's ceasefire proposal, as communicated to Witkoff, have not been detailed.
In the midst of these complex negotiations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that Putin has given a ceasefire proposal to Witkoff. Witkoff's visit to Moscow is expected mid-week for talks. If the deadline passes without a result, President Trump plans to impose sanctions, specifically targeting countries buying Russian oil and gas.
These developments underscore the ongoing, intricate negotiations, with significant hurdles on territorial and military conditions, alongside US pressure through sanctions tied to the ceasefire timeline. The future of Ukraine and its relations with Russia remain uncertain, as both sides navigate this complex web of negotiations and potential sanctions.
[1] ABC News. (2025, August 7). Zelensky Expresses Willingness to Meet with Trump and Putin for Ceasefire Talks. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/zelensky-expresses-willingness-meet-trump-putin-ceasefire-talks-79313909
[2] CNN. (2025, August 8). Kremlin Demands Territorial Concessions from Ukraine as Ceasefire Precondition. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/world/ukraine-russia-ceasefire-territorial-concessions/index.html
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 9). Trump Sets Deadline for Moscow to Reach Ceasefire Deal with Kyiv. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-sets-deadline-moscow-reach-ceasefire-deal-kyiv-2025-08-09/
- The ongoing negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine are involving policy-and-legislation and politics, as President Trump is planning to impose sanctions if the recent ceasefire deadline passes without a resolution, targeting countries buying Russian oil and gas as a part of the general-news.
- Amidst these complex talks, the Kremlin is demanding territorial concessions from Ukraine, including strategically vital territory in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Crimea, before agreeing to a ceasefire, demonstrating the intricate links between war-and-conflicts, politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
