Former President Donald Trump emphasized that the temporary ceasefire should “ultimately pave the way for a peace agreement.”
On May 8, Trump urged both Russia and Ukraine to engage in an unconditional 30-day ceasefire while peace talks facilitated by the U.S. are underway.
He asserted that this temporary halt in hostilities must “ultimately pave the way for a peace agreement” between the two countries and cautioned that the United States would impose sanctions should the ceasefire not be honored.
“Discussions between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing,” he remarked in a Truth Social
post. “I hope for a ceasefire that is acceptable to both sides, with accountability for respecting the integrity of these direct negotiations.”
Trump reiterated his determination to end the conflict in Ukraine, despite his administration officials having previously
indicated that the U.S. may cease mediation if tangible progress towards peace wasn’t demonstrated.
“Everything can be resolved swiftly, and I am ready to step in at a moment’s notice if my assistance is required,” he stated.
“Countless young soldiers are perishing every week, and everyone should wish for it to END. I certainly do, and so does the United States of America.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
mentioned to Trump during a May 8 phone call that Ukraine is prepared to agree to a temporary ceasefire with Russia and is open to “engaging in talks in any format.”
Nonetheless, Zelenskyy stipulated that Russia must first show its commitment to ending the conflict, which includes an “unconditional ceasefire,” ceasing missile and drone strikes, and halting offensive actions at the front lines.
“Ukraine stands ready for a complete ceasefire right now—an immediate 30-day silence. Yet it must be genuine,” he stated in a
video address. “Thirty days could mark the beginning of lasting peace.”
On April 30, the Kremlin
indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution, albeit certain issues remain unresolved.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously
cautioned that the U.S. might withdraw from attempts to mediate a resolution after three years of conflict if neither side reaches an agreement.
“I believe they are closer than they have been at any point in the last three years, but it’s still not finalized,” Rubio remarked in an NBC News interview on April 27.
Rubio noted that the U.S. might contemplate actions against those obstructing peace efforts but clarified that it would “prefer not to resort to that stage just yet, as it could jeopardize diplomatic avenues.”
The conflict in Ukraine has persisted since Putin launched a wide-scale invasion in February 2022. He
declared an “Easter truce” on April 19, ordering his forces to cease military activities until midnight April 20.
However, both parties later
accused one another of breaching the truce, with the Russian military resuming “special military operations” after the ceasefire lapsed.
On April 28, Putin unilaterally
announced a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to May 10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Zelenskyy subsequently dismissed this gesture as merely “another manipulative tactic” by Russia.
“A ceasefire shouldn’t be for just a few days only to revert to violence afterward,” Zelenskyy stated in an April 28
address. “It must be immediate, complete, and unconditional, for at least 30 days, to ensure security and guarantees. This is the foundation for genuine diplomacy.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha
alleged that Russia breached the three-day ceasefire 734 times between midnight and noon on May 8, which included 464 heavy weapon attacks and 176 drone strikes.
The Russian Defense Ministry countered by asserting that Ukraine launched 488 attacks on Russian targets and twice attempted to breach the border in the Kursk region.
Reporting by Ryan Morgan and Reuters contributed to this article.
