As Kyviv, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to a temporary ceasefire deal with Russia on Tuesday, the pressure is now on Moscow to decide if they will accept President Donald Trump’s proposal.
During their daily media call Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, refused to give more insight on the on the issue, instead saying that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are going to brief Moscow on the ceasefire deal discussed between the US and Ukranian talks held earlier this week in Saudi Arabia.
Kremlin has claimed that they have always been open to negotiations surrounding the end of the conflict with Russia, though not denying the country’s ambitions to end with achieving their dangerously ambitious war aims. Most namely, securing control over annexed areas of Ukraine.
Though back when Zelenskyy was at the Oval Office he had claimed that Putin had gone against his own signature 25 times on both ceasefires and other agreements, and therefore should not be trusted. Trump has responded by debunking that Putin had went back on his signature and avoided questions surrounding Ukraine’s guaranteed security. Saying that the minerals deal, which is on hold, would go towards an effective ceasefire deal.
As known after this the oval office meeting got even more testy when Vance challenged Zelenskyy.
“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Zelenskyy had asked for more details as to how his agreement to the minerals deal would ensure his countries security, as he had stated before that Putin has shown numerous times that he was unwilling to keep and maintain a ceasefire. Therefore showing his justified reluctance to such a deal that hasn’t worked before. Which prompted another one of Trump’s nerves it would seem as he then raised his voice.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”
The president then when asked what his stance was between either Ukraine or Russia, had said he sided with neither. Continuing on to in short chide on Zelenskyy’s “hatred” of Putin. Which Trump then went on to claim was a roadblock to the ceasefire deal. And that Zelenskyy should be thankful for any US support and aid over these three years.
“You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now.”
The discussion of the war fore Ukraine is a very sensitive discussion right now, and many citizens are fearful that a hasty peace deal that plays into many of Russia’s concessions will just give the latter more incentive to invade later on.
In contrast, many of Russia’s citizens would also like a ceasefire deal, as they too are fatigued by the conflict and are growing more anxious due to the economic impact it has had on the country. However, hard-fire headlines deem that this ceasefire deal would be an act of betrayal. And even within the Russian negotiators imposing their conditions, it is far fetched, as of now that the removal of Ukrainian forces in Kursk or the removal of NATO from their western flanks will be met.
Going on in this current stage the war aim of the demilitarization of Ukraine is also far steps. Though for these past weeks since Trump’s inauguration, Russia has been reveling in what appears to be America’s favor. A surprise to both citizens, and Western allies.
However, in exchange for all the new economic, and diplomatic ties, Trump may now be expecting that Kremlin play nice. As ‘the ball is now in their court,’ according to US Secretary of State, Rubio.
It would appear that Trump had called Putin’s bluff on holding ‘all the cards’.
