Zelensky: Russia's Ceasefire Refusal Complicates Efforts to End the War

Zelensky Voices Frustration Over Russia's Stance
Trump Shifts Focus to Peace Deal, Pressures Ukraine on Donbas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Russia for rejecting a ceasefire, stating that it is "complicating efforts to end the war."

According to major foreign media outlets such as AFP on August 16 (local time), President Zelensky said on X (formerly Twitter), "Russia has ignored numerous calls for a ceasefire and has yet to decide when to stop the killing," expressing his frustration.

This statement reflects his dismay following the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, which took place in Alaska on August 15 and ended without a ceasefire agreement.

He pointed out on social media, "If they lack the will to carry out even the simple order to stop the bombing, it will require much greater effort to make them willing to achieve the far more significant goal of peaceful coexistence with neighboring countries for decades to come."

Initially, President Trump was expected to demand an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine from President Putin during the Alaska summit and to threaten sanctions if he refused. However, Trump instead accepted Putin's position and abruptly shifted his stance, prioritizing an end to the war through a peace agreement rather than an immediate ceasefire.

After the meeting with Putin, President Trump spoke with President Zelensky and European leaders, expressing his support for Putin's proposal that Ukraine transfer the eastern Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts), which borders Russia, as part of a peace agreement. He is pressuring Ukraine to accept this proposal.