The president of the United States, said on Monday (3) that the position of the Ukrainian President to reject a truce with the “serious” security guarantees will not be tolerated for a long time by the US government. “It’s the worst that Zelensky could say, and the United States won’t tolerate it anymore for a long time,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social network. The statement came in response to an Associated Press agency article that quoted Zelensky saying that the end of the war in Ukraine was still “far away.”
Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting peace until he has US support and, during a tense meeting last Friday (28) at the White House, threatened to remove American assistance if Zelensky did not adopt a more conciliatory stance. Still on Monday (3), the US Secretary of State, told British diplomacy chief David Lammy, that Washington is open to negotiations to seek peace in Ukraine.
According to spokesman Tammy Bruce, the American administration intends to work for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Trump’s position, who said Zelensky “is not ready for peace,” finds echo in Russia. The Russian government declared on Monday that the Ukrainian President should be “forced” to sign an agreement, claiming that he has no interest in ending the conflict.
Friday’s meeting between Zelensky, Trump and the US Vice President, showed divergences on Kiev’s security guarantees. Ukraine seeks an agreement that ensures its protection and access by the United States to its mineral resources.
Meanwhile, European allies keep caution. The French president, mentioned on Sunday (2) the possibility of a temporary truce of one month, covering the airspace, sea and the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The United Kingdom, however, stated that there is no consensus on this initiative at the moment. A summit on Ukraine and European security is scheduled for Thursday (7) in Brussels.
During a press conference in London on Sunday, Zelensky reiterated his opposition to a ceasefire without solid guarantees. “It will be a failure to the whole world if Ukraine is forced to an agreement without real security,” he said. The Ukrainian President cited the history of previous Russian violations, such as 2015, arguing that Moscow would use any new agreement to blame Ukraine for a possible resumption of combat.
Zelensky also responded to Trump’s criticism, who accused him of acting as a “dictator” by postponing elections due to war. The Ukrainian leader pointed out that he has already offered his resignation in exchange for peace and Ukraine entry into NATO, but Trump indicated that the country’s adhesion to the military alliance is unlikely.
While political discussions advance, the war continues on the ground. On Sunday, 15 European leaders gathered in London reaffirmed support for Kiev and pledged to strengthen their defenses against Russia. On the front line, the Russian army reduced the pace of advance in February. Data from the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) show that Moscow won 389 km² last month, after larger gains in January (431 km²) and December (476 km²).
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian attack with an Iskander-M missile left dozens of dead and injured, according to Ukrainian military sources. The Russian army also advances towards Pokrovsk, a strategic city in Donetsk province, increasing pressure on the Ukrainian forces.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Felipe Cerqueira
