Zelensky blames russia for complicating peace talks; Trump urges settlement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of deliberately obstructing efforts to end the war in Ukraine, citing Moscow's continued rejection of ceasefire proposals, reports BBC.

In a statement on Saturday (August 16), Zelensky said, “Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire. They have not yet decided when to stop the killing—that is complicating the situation.”

The comments come as US President Donald Trump, following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, called for a long-term peace deal over a temporary ceasefire. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said, “This is the best way to end the war. Because most of the time, ceasefires don’t last.”

Trump also held a phone call with Zelensky after the summit. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s position for “real and lasting peace,” and outlined key conditions for any future agreement. These include robust security guarantees and the return of Ukrainian children allegedly taken from Russian-occupied territories.

Trump’s latest remarks reflect a shift in tone. Prior to the summit, he had supported a rapid ceasefire. However, he now appears focused on negotiating a broader settlement. Trump reportedly told European leaders that a “permanent peace deal” was his primary objective.

According to US media outlet CBS, Putin presented Trump with a proposal under which Russia would refrain from advancing into the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions if Ukraine withdrew from Donetsk. Kyiv has rejected this, with Zelensky reaffirming that no Ukrainian territory—especially Donbas—will be ceded, warning it could serve as a staging ground for future Russian offensives.

European diplomats have expressed concern that Trump may pressure Kyiv to accept Russian conditions. In earlier comments, the US president said, “Make a deal. Russia is a great power—and Ukraine is not.”

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It currently controls large parts of eastern Ukraine, including most of Luhansk and approximately 70% of Donetsk. The path to a negotiated end to the war remains highly uncertain.