Trump Has Adopted "The Most Favourable Position" for Moscow

"We have made clear again and again that we simply expect one thing from Russia now: namely, a ceasefire, unconditional and immediate."

"We welcome the fact that Ukraine is still prepared to do this."

"We note with disappointment that Russia has not yet taken this decisive step, and we will have to react to this."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul

 

"It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation."

"We are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently." 

"[It is] important that America continues to be involved in the peace process."

"Russia fears American involvement, [many lives could be saved if the U.S.] pressures Putin to end the war."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukranian President Voloydmyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk walk in the grounds of the Mariynsky Palace, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 10, 2025. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

"This round of sanctions on Russia is the most wide-sweeping since the start of the war, together with new hybrid, human rights, and chemical weapons-related sanctions. In this 17th package, we include Surgutneftegas - a Russian oil giant - as well as almost 200 vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet."

"While Putin feigns interest in peace, more sanctions are in the works. Russia’s actions and those who enable Russia face severe consequences. The longer Russia persists with its illegal and brutal war, the tougher our response will be."

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Chair Foreign Affairs Council

New sanctions were slapped on Moscow, following a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without a breakthrough on putting an end to the war in Ukraine grinding on for three years, after Russia's invasion of February 2022. Monday's conversation between Trump and Putin failed to produce anything of value that might lead to a cessation of hostilities. The direct talks that took place between delegations of Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul also failed to achieve anything resembling an agreement.

 

Despite that Putin promised Trump that Moscow is "ready to work with" Ukraine on a "memorandum" outlining the framework for "a possible future peace treaty", there has been no movement on the diplomatic front. "It appears that Putin has devised a way to offer Trump an interim, tangible outcome from Washington's peace efforts without making any real concessions", observed Tatiana Stanovaya, senior fellow, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

 

Close to 200 ships were targeted with sanctions by the latest European Union sanctions, representing Russia's 'shadow fleet' in an ongoing illicit shipping transporting oil, skirting Western restrictions. Asset freezes and travel bans were also imposed on a number of Russian officials, along with a number of Russian companies. According to Ukrainian authorities, some 500 aging ships with uncertain ownership are busy dodging sanctions to keep oil revenues flowing to Moscow.

 

The United Kingdom undertook its own additional sanctions aimed at the disruption of supply chains of Russian weapons. "Russia's latest strikes once again show his true colours as a warmonger", stated British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.  Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded that "Russia never responds to ultimatums". 

 

President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, on Monday, after a telephone conversation with President Donald Trump.  Alexander Kazakov / AFP via Getty Images

 For its part, Kyiv has made its own compromise in the hope of moving peace talks forward, by offering a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. Moscow was quick to reject that offer, through the imposition of far-reaching conditions. President Zelenskyy's proposal of a face-to-face meeting with his Russian counterpart was spurned by Mr. Putin. President Trump acknowledged that it would be his personal intervention that could spur Russia to take peace talks to a new level.

 

According to his account, following separate telephone calls with Putin and Zelenskyy, the two countries would "immediately" begin ceasefire negotiations -- without adding details when or where those talks might be carried out. "The status quo has not changed", stated Mykhailo Podoliak, senior adviser to President Zelenskyy. 

The Russian press is gloating over what they construe as U.S. President Donald Trump continuing to favour Russian outcomes against the embattled Ukrainian military: Trump has adopted "the most favourable position" for Moscow, which "came as a complete surprise to the Western allies of the United States, nullifying their expectations". "In Kyiv and the camp of its Western allies, disappointment reigns over the 'betrayal' of the United States", exulted Kommersant.

Service members of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a mortar towards Russian troops, at a position in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine May 16, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo

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