Camilla Jessen
Ukraine signals willingness for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed US President Donald Trump during a phone call on May 8 that Ukraine is ready to begin a full, 30-day ceasefire immediately.
This development was reported by Zelenskyy via his Telegram channel
The conversation also touched on the ratification of the US-Ukraine Economic Partnership Agreement and Europe’s commemoration of its victory over Nazism.
“President Trump inquired about the situation on the battlefield, and I gave him a brief update,” Zelenskyy wrote.
I also informed him that Ukraine is ready for a 30-day ceasefire—even starting today. We are waiting for Russia to agree to this proposal.
The conditions for talks
Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine is open to negotiations “in any format,” but insisted that any talks must be preceded by a full and unconditional ceasefire from Russia.
“Russia must demonstrate the seriousness of its intentions to end the war,” he emphasized.
Calling on Washington’s global influence, Zelenskyy added, “America can help make it happen. The world needs America just as it did 80 years ago.”
According to Zelenskyy, Trump was willing to help broker an end to the war and supported Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact going forward.
Trump also reiterated his belief about Russia’s broader territorial ambitions in Ukraine.
In remarks cited during the call, Trump argued that Moscow’s ultimate goal remains full occupation:
Russia would have to give up all of Ukraine. Because what Russia wants is all of Ukraine. If I didn’t get involved, they would be fighting right now for all of Ukraine.