A US-led ceasefire in Ukraine appears distant, but Washington’s ties with Moscow are improving. In their latest discussions, Russia and the US focused on bilateral issues like embassy staffing and resuming commercial flights, avoiding mention of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the emergence of “draft provisions” for potential peace plans but denied the existence of a structured agreement. Meanwhile, Russian officials intensified criticism of European leaders, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova calling French President Emmanuel Macron “detached from reality” over his nuclear deterrence proposal.
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated after a heated White House exchange between President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump accused Ukraine of prolonging the war and criticized past US military aid. The fallout led to a US freeze on military and intelligence assistance, while Europe stepped up support.
In response, the EU unveiled a potential €800 billion defense initiative, and the UK and France increased military commitments. Macron even proposed discussions on extending France’s nuclear deterrent to Europe. Despite this shift, Ukraine’s reliance on American weapons remains crucial.
Zelenskyy, facing strained US relations, offered a ceasefire plan involving POW exchanges and a halt to long-range strikes—if Russia reciprocates. However, Trump’s administration remains firm on economic conditions, linking security guarantees to a rare-earth mining deal in Ukraine.
While European allies rally behind Kyiv, Washington’s pivot toward Moscow raises concerns about US credibility on the global stage.
