Edith Hejberg
The Kremlin made clear that Trump’s suggestion does not align with its military or political objectives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has endorsed Donald Trump’s proposal to freeze the war with Russia along the current frontlines, describing it as “a good compromise”.
Speaking from Oslo, Zelenskyy acknowledged that while the idea has merit, he doubts it will gain backing from Moscow. “I said it to the president, I’m not sure that Putin will support it,” he added.
Trump: ‘Cut and stop at the battle line’
Trump made the proposal earlier in the week aboard Air Force One, suggesting a halt to fighting where forces currently stand.
“They can negotiate something later on down the line. But I said cut and stop at the battle line,” he told reporters. His comments came ahead of a now-postponed summit with Vladimir Putin.
Russia remains firm on Donbas ambition
Russia’s refusal to consider halting the war reflects its unchanged goal: full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, parts of which remain under Ukrainian control.
The Kremlin made clear that Trump’s suggestion does not align with its military or political objectives.
A tactical win for Kyiv—however modest
Trump’s remarks are being seen as a modest but notable win for Zelenskyy. The US president has often shown unpredictability on Ukraine policy, at times appearing sympathetic to Putin’s territorial demands.
His public acknowledgment of a possible freeze marks a rare alignment with Ukrainian interests, at least in the short term.
Kyiv quietly weighs military limits
Behind closed doors, Ukrainian officials have admitted the difficulty of regaining all lost territory by force.
They’ve privately signaled to Washington and European allies that a frozen conflict might be acceptable, though until now Zelenskyy had maintained a firm public stance on retaking all occupied areas.
A shift in Zelenskyy’s messaging
Zelenskyy’s endorsement of Trump’s freeze proposal reflects a shift in tone from Kyiv.
Early in the war, Ukrainian leadership vowed not to concede any territory. This latest move suggests a growing awareness of battlefield realities and a desire to keep diplomatic channels open, even as Russia presses its advantage.
Lavrov dismisses US pressure to pause conflict
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov sharply criticised US involvement, saying Washington wants to “stop [the conflict] immediately” and leave the rest to history.
“Simply stopping would mean forgetting the root causes of this conflict,” Lavrov argued, referring to Moscow’s longstanding demands to curtail Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Russia doubles down on preconditions
Russia reiterated its tough conditions for any peace deal: full control over Donbas, restrictions on Kyiv’s military, and influence over Ukraine’s domestic policy.
These demands were restated in a private message to Washington over the weekend and again during a call between Lavrov and US secretary of state Marco Rubio.
Trump sceptical about renewed summit with Putin
Trump had previously floated the idea of hosting a new summit with Putin in Budapest, but recent developments have cooled that prospect. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting,” Trump said from the White House.
“I don’t want to waste time until I see what happens.” His caution reflects disappointment after the failed Alaska summit earlier this year.
Putin orders nuclear force drills amid tensions
On Wednesday, President Putin oversaw large-scale nuclear force drills involving practice missile launches.
Russia’s military said the drills were intended to simulate authorisation procedures for nuclear weapons. Though described as “routine” by Moscow, the timing heightened anxiety amid stalled diplomatic efforts.
Ukraine reels from deadly Russian strikes
As diplomacy faltered, Russia launched its largest aerial attack in weeks. Kyiv and other cities were hit by waves of missiles and drones.
At least six civilians were killed, including a six-month-old baby, a 12-year-old girl, and a woman. In Kharkiv, a drone strike on a kindergarten left one man dead and seven others injured.
Moscow rejects ceasefires as strategic threat
The Kremlin continues to argue that ceasefires benefit Ukraine by allowing it to regroup and rearm.
Russian officials claim such pauses prolong the conflict and prevent Moscow from achieving its objectives, further complicating efforts to bring both sides to the table.
Peace remains elusive as war grinds on
Despite calls for compromise and signs of diplomatic engagement, real progress remains out of reach.
While Ukraine appears open to freezing the frontlines, Russia’s maximalist demands remain a major obstacle. As military strikes continue and nuclear posturing rises, the hope for lasting peace remains fragile.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation
