Vladimir, STOP!

"I am not happy with the Russian strikes in KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing."

"Vladimir, STOP!"

"5000 soldiers a week are dying."

"Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!" 

"I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far it's been harder, but that's OK. It's all right."

U.S. President Donald Trump

Trump posted on Wednesday that he is "not happy" with Russia's attacks.

Reuters/Getty Images

"The principle of Ukraine's territorial integrity is not something that can be negotiated."

"This was the position taken last week and reiterated yesterday in London in a meeting of a similar format."

Christophe Lemoine, French Foreign Ministry spokesman

Kyiv was struck by Russia with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones with a dozen people killed and 90 injured. So much for the progress being made by the Trump administration's efforts for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. But a rare rebuke by Trump to Putin was at the very least, refreshing when Trump's frustration led him to lash out at Putin. This, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy got similar treatment for his intransigence in refusing to allow Moscow to take full possession of Ukrainian territory ill-gotten by Putin's illegal invasion. 

President Zelenskyy was accused of prolonging the "killing field" when he refused to surrender the Crimea Peninsula to Putin, to achieve a peace agreement. Occupied by Russia which annexed Crimea in 2014. Since February 2022 Mr. Zelenskyy has said repeatedly that recognizing occupied territory as Russia's represents a Ukrainian red line. Ukraine agreed to a U.S. ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, as an initial step in a negotiated peace, Mr. Zelenskyy reminded Trump, yet attacks by Moscow had simply continued.

Rescue workers search for people under rubble of an apartment building destroyed in the barrage.

Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images

Trump's irritation with Moscow is evident in his reaction, given that the American president has stated repeatedly that Russia -- the conflict's aggressor -- is more willing to get a deal done than is Ukraine. In his negotiations with both leaders in the conflict, Trump's focus has been  on which of the two has leverage. Putin, he decided, has "the cards", and Zelenskyy does not, he has repeatedly said, taking steps in a cooperative relationship with Putin, a man he has long admired. A strongman attracted to others like himself.

 

Norway, a NATO member and supporter of Ukraine, with its 198-kilometre border with Russia, has reason to fear that Russia's  territorial ambitions will not stop with Ukraine. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store wrote in a social media post his intention to underscore during talks with Trump that "close contact between Norway and the USA is crucial. We must contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine". 

"There is only one answer we are waiting for: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?"

"The Americans' anger should focus on just one person: President Putin."

"[Putin should] stop lying [when he claims to want] peace." 

French President Emmanuel Macron

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to visit Moscow for a new round of talks with Putin; representing their fourth meeting since January. NATO leaders will meet in the Netherlands in two months' time. France's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lemoine, asked whether France is in agreement with comments by Trump that Ukraine's position was responsible for prolonging the war, responded that Ukrainians demonstrated they are open to negotiations. Russia, on the other hand, continues its strikes.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in South Africa on Wednesday hours after US President Donald Trump accused him of harming peace talks.

Courtesy of the Ukrainian Presidency