It has now been over one month since Ukraine agreed to a US-negotiated unconditional ceasefire across the full length of the war front. Russia, however, has refused to accept the proposal and instead launched more than 6,000 bombs into Ukrainian territory during this period. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia’s actions make it clear the Kremlin is the sole driver of the ongoing war and peace will only come through strength.
Despite repeated diplomatic overtures from Ukraine and growing international concern, Donald Trump’s administration has made little progress in holding Russia accountable. Trump, now nearly three months into his presidency, continues to offer weak public remarks. His most recent statement merely urged Russia to “get moving” with peace negotiations, without acknowledging that only one side, Russia, is blocking a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, his White House insists he is frustrated “with both sides,” a statement that ignores Ukraine’s consistent peace efforts and places blame equally where it does not belong. As evidence of the Trump administration’s growing detachment, his special envoy Steve Witkoff, a property developer with no diplomatic background, met Vladimir Putin in a series of photo-opportunities where Witkoff appeared starstruck and admiring of the Russian leader.
Witkoff has never visited Ukraine, nor has he met President Zelensky. Still, he has pushed for Ukraine to surrender large parts of its sovereign territory just to secure a temporary ceasefire. These regions include Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson, home to millions of Ukrainians who would be left under Kremlin rule. The proposed concessions include retreating 30 to 40 kilometres from fortified positions, essentially allowing Russia to claim victory through negotiation rather than on the battlefield.
These are not serious peace proposals. They are capitulations.
A Ukrainian official noted that giving up Zaporizhzhia would leave 700,000 civilians under direct Russian artillery threat, putting another 1 million in nearby Dnipro at immediate risk. The same applies to the regions near Mykolaiv and Odesa if Russian troops advance unchecked.
Russia’s most recent brutality includes a missile strike on the city of Sumy during Palm Sunday as civilians went to and from church. At least 32 people were killed, including children, and more than 83 were wounded. No military targets were present. Only civilians, women, children, and the elderly were struck deliberately by Russian Iskander missiles in an effort to spread terror.
In contrast to Trump’s envoy, Prince Harry of the United Kingdom visited Lviv and met with victims of Russian attacks at the Superhuman Centre. The prince’s visible compassion stood in stark contrast to Witkoff’s smiling handshake with Putin.
Ukraine is not sitting still. It has hired US law firm Hogan Lovells to review and challenge the controversial mineral extraction deal Trump’s administration attempted to push through what many describe as extortion. After Trump rewrote the deal during Zelensky’s visit to the White House, Ukraine would be left paying what amount to war reparations to the United States in perpetuity, effectively surrendering sovereignty over its own natural resources.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, is not looking for peace. It is preparing for more war. Russia is massively expanding its military through conscription and contracted soldiers. Analysts expect a possible large-scale mobilisation following Moscow’s Victory Day parade on 9 May.
European leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, have called for stronger US leadership. “Only the US President can likely make Russia stop,” Duda said, warning that a just and lasting peace is essential not only for Ukraine but for Europe as a whole.
And yet, Trump refuses to impose effective sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas sector citing economic risks, though many believe it is more about political naivety than global responsibility.
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