The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has responded promptly to the recent interruption of military aid from the United States, urging his American counterpart, Donald Trump, to resume bilateral cooperation to move towards peace. In a message posted on the social network X, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to ending hostilities and proposed a partial truce as the first step towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“I want to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelensky wrote, responding to Trump’s recent statements accusing Ukraine of not being interested in ending the war. Additionally, the Ukrainian leader expressed his willingness to work under former President Trump’s leadership to achieve lasting peace: “My team and I are ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership for lasting peace.”
From the Kremlin, the reaction was swift. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesperson, positively viewed Zelensky’s words, considering that a partial truce could open the door to a peace process: “It is a decision that can indeed push the Kyiv regime to (participate in) a peace process,” Peskov stated during his telephone press conference.
Meanwhile, from Kyiv, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak indicated that the Ukrainian government is assessing alternatives to ensure its defense capabilities following the interruption of U.S. aid. On his social media, Podolyak explained that Ukraine is already exploring the possibility of producing weapons in collaboration with other international partners or acquiring them from different countries.
Furthermore, Zelensky emphasized the key role of Germany in sustaining Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, highlighting that the European country is the main supplier of air defense systems for its army.
Zelensky’s call for peace, combined with the search for new ways to strengthen his country’s defense, reflects a delicate balance between the desire to end the war and the need to maintain national security. Trump’s response and international reactions will determine the next steps in this complex geopolitical scenario.
