Following a tragic attack that claimed the lives of 22 Ukrainians, major discussion has centered on the roles of the Kremlin, Donald Trump’s team, and the West in efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. Despite active diplomacy by the US and EU, Moscow’s stance remains unchanged—labeling Volodymyr Zelensky illegitimate and refusing to ease its demands on Ukraine.
Representatives from the Trump administration attended meetings in Moscow, but no breakthrough occurred. American and European officials expressed surprise at the Kremlin’s lack of flexibility. Trump, in turn, displayed ambivalence: privately, he is frustrated by the lack of diplomatic progress, but publicly hesitates to escalate pressure on Russia, wary of alienating parts of his political base. Some Republicans call for stronger sanctions, yet Trump holds back for political reasons.
The US has not provided clear security guarantees to Ukraine, but is considering intelligence sharing and air defense support. Europe also increases diplomatic pressure, urging stricter sanctions. Notably, after the Kyiv shelling, Russian officials asked the US to persuade Ukraine to halt attacks on oil refineries, reflecting Moscow’s growing concern over its energy sector.
Meanwhile, the White House equated strikes on Russian infrastructure with attacks on Ukrainian residential areas, causing outrage in Kyiv over the perceived equalization of aggressor and victim. Zelensky is de facto open to freezing the conflict along current front lines, but the Kremlin insists on its maximalist demands.
Journalists note that Trump’s peace initiative has yet to produce results, while Western sanctions policy toward Russia is growing more proactive. US administration reactions continue to shape developments around Ukraine, as Ukrainians hope for greater Western support and clarity.
In summary: no peace deal or significant breakthrough has occurred so far, and the parties’ positions remain unchanged. Ukrainians remain in uncertainty, though Western support and sanctions pressure persist in the face of diplomatic and domestic US challenges.
