Putin Responds to Trump’s Ukraine Ceasefire Plan With a Limited Offer
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire beginning May 6, a symbolic gesture ahead of Victory Day on May 9. This move comes in response to a ceasefire proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is pressing for a rapid end to the war in Ukraine. Trump’s proposal, introduced on April 17, has drawn criticism for making significant concessions to Moscow, including recognizing Crimea and four contested Ukrainian regions as Russian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly rejected the plan, calling it “another attempt at manipulation,” and questioned why peace should wait until a specific date aligned with Russian celebrations. Trump’s initiative also excluded U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine post-war, proposing instead that security be managed by a coalition of European and other non-European states.
Europe and Ukraine Push Back Against U.S. Proposal
Ukraine responded with a counter-proposal on April 23, supported by the European Union, which insists that territorial discussions should follow a ceasefire—not precede it. European leaders, including EU external affairs chief Kaja Kallas, refused to support any peace agreement that legitimizes territorial annexations, citing violations of the UN Charter.
A major point of contention was Trump’s agreement to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and his call for an immediate end to Western sanctions on Russia. In contrast, Ukraine and Europe proposed easing sanctions only after a sustainable peace is reached, and to reinstate them if the agreement is breached. Their plan also emphasized no limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities or the presence of allied forces.
Meanwhile, Russia has categorically rejected these conditions, maintaining that Ukraine must remain neutral and demilitarized. Russian officials also oppose any NATO-aligned presence in Ukraine, reinforcing their demand for strategic dominance in the region.
Escalation on the Battlefield and Diplomatic Fallout
Shortly after these proposals were exchanged, Russia intensified its military operations. A massive airstrike on Kyiv killed 12 civilians, undermining Putin’s ceasefire announcement. “This isn’t a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it,” said Kallas. Trump also criticized the timing, suggesting Putin might not be serious about ending the war and hinted at possible economic sanctions, including “secondary sanctions” against Russian interests.
Diplomatic efforts to align Western allies were hampered further when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly pulled out of a planned London meeting with Ukrainian and European officials. Ukraine’s foreign and defense ministers were left unable to meet with their British and French counterparts, further fracturing the Western alliance on the issue.
Russia has continued to escalate along the border regions, claiming a full takeover of the Ukrainian presence in the Kursk area. North Korea, for the first time, publicly acknowledged its military support for Russia in the conflict, with both nations praising their cooperation. As NATO countries reinforce their eastern borders, particularly in Finland, Poland, and the Baltics, Moscow appears to be solidifying its military stance in defiance of Western pressure.
