Zelensky: Russia’s Opposition to Ceasefire Complicates Peace Process
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency adn the Kyiv Self-reliant website, Volodymyr zelensky, President of ukraine, stated that Russia’s continued rejection of a ceasefire makes achieving a lasting peace agreement more challenging.
This statement came after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, which the Ukrainian website reported ended without any clear peace outcome.
The report noted that during the Alaska summit, Trump shifted from his previous stance by withdrawing his demand for an immediate ceasefire and threats of “severe consequences” if Russia did not comply. He now calls for a swift peace agreement as the best solution.
Trump is scheduled to discuss details of this plan wiht Zelensky and European officials at the White House on August 18.
Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel: “Russia’s rejection of all ceasefire proposals complicates matters.If they are unwilling to carry out this simple order to stop attacks,it will be far more difficult to compel Russia into peaceful coexistence with its neighbors for decades.”
He added that he and his team are in continuous consultation with Ukraine’s international partners ahead of the white House meeting. He emphasized: “I appreciate this invitation. It is crucial that everyone recognizes the necessity of leadership-level dialog to clarify details and determine necessary steps.”
Trump also said after meeting Zelensky and European leaders that the next step could be a trilateral summit involving himself, Zelensky, and Putin-a meeting Axios reports might occur before August 22. however, Putin has yet to publicly agree to attend such talks.
The Ukrainian website reported that both Ukrainian and European officials have repeatedly demanded a full halt in hostilities as a precondition for starting peace negotiations. The Kremlin has rejected these demands each time while insisting on maximalist conditions including dissolving Ukraine’s army and stopping foreign military aid.
The Kyiv Independent concluded its report by stating that results from the Alaska summit showed Putin remains steadfast in pursuing his maximalist goals in the Ukraine conflict.
