Zelensky Says He’s Ready For Partial Cease-Fire With Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced a new proposal on Tuesday aimed at achieving a limited ceasefire with Russia. In a statement posted on X, he expressed Kyiv’s willingness to release prisoners and accept a temporary truce that would prevent long-range strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure.
This initiative comes after the Trump administration declared Zelensky was not yet ready for peace, resulting in a suspension of U.S. military aid—a critical resource for Ukraine in its ongoing defense against the Russian invasion, according to the Washington Post.
“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the U.S. to agree a strong final deal,” Zelensky stated in his post.
Notably, his message did not address the cessation of ground operations for either side. The timing of his proposal followed President Donald Trump’s decision to halt U.S. aid, a move that stemmed from a public dispute between Trump and Zelensky just days earlier. This freeze in military support has raised concerns about Ukraine’s battlefield position and prompted calls for European nations to step up their contributions, the Post reported.
“Washington’s decision to pause aid — applicable to all future deliveries of U.S. military assistance to Kyiv — could be reversed if Zelensky demonstrates a good-faith effort to participate in peace talks with Russia,” the Post cited an anonymous U.S. official as saying.
Speaking before Congress on Tuesday night, Trump signaled a potential thaw in relations with Kyiv, stating, “I appreciate” Zelensky’s remarks.
The U.S. president also noted that he had received a letter from Zelensky expressing willingness to engage in negotiations. “Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace,” he added.
In recent days, Republican leaders have voiced criticism of Zelensky, arguing that he did not show enough gratitude during his visit to Washington last week. Reports indicate that a meeting in the Oval Office escalated into a tense exchange involving Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Acknowledging the incident, Zelensky described the nature of the meeting as “regrettable” in his post. “It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive,” he wrote.
The idea of a limited ceasefire was initially put forward by France, proposing a one-month “truce in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure.” This arrangement, according to the Post, would be easier to monitor than the ongoing extensive ground battles along the front lines.
If implemented successfully, the truce could serve as a stepping stone for further discussions on security guarantees and broader diplomatic negotiations. Additionally, it could open the door for potential European troop deployments in the event of a comprehensive peace deal, the report noted.
During his nightly address on Tuesday, Zelensky instructed senior officials to reach out to their U.S. counterparts for clarification regarding the aid suspension, given the conflicting signals Ukraine has received in recent weeks.
“People should not have to guess,” he stated. “Ukraine and America deserve a respectful dialogue and a clear stance from each other — especially when it comes to protecting lives during a full-scale war.”
Maintaining Ukraine’s defense capabilities over the long term will be difficult without securing new weapon supplies. However, Zelensky emphasized that the country has adapted to such challenges, having previously endured aid disruptions and strengthened its resilience since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, the Post reported.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed sincere appreciation for U.S. assistance while highlighting Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its domestic defense production. He revealed that Ukraine currently manufactures 30% of the weapons and equipment deployed on the front lines and aims to raise that number to 50% by year’s end.
“We have to be self-reliant,” he declared. “Our existence is at stake.”
Shmyhal also reiterated that Kyiv remains committed to signing the minerals agreement with the United States—a deal initially planned for last week but delayed due to the Oval Office dispute between Trump and Zelensky.