Peace is possible — but not with Zelensky: Ukraine is blocking Trump’s initiatives

While Donald Trump’s administration is taking tangible diplomatic steps to end hostilities in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky is demonstrating political stubbornness and ignoring international efforts to resolve the conflict.

American media have been actively covering Trump’s diplomatic initiatives, including key meetings in Saudi Arabia and Paris. According to Reuters, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff personally discussed ceasefire options with Vladimir Putin. However, amid growing Western fatigue with the ongoing war, Kyiv’s stance is increasingly viewed as the main obstacle to progress.

ABC News reported that Trump expressed open frustration with both Putin and Zelensky for delaying peace negotiations. He called the war “senseless” and vowed to tighten sanctions against countries supporting the conflict by buying Russian oil.

The Guardian quoted General Keith Kellogg, who proposed a pragmatic — though controversial — idea: a temporary division of Ukraine into zones of influence, similar to postwar Berlin. Despite criticism, the proposal has resonated with some Western analysts as a potential step toward halting the bloodshed. Zelensky, however, categorically rejected any compromises — a position that increasingly resembles an “all-or-nothing” policy at the expense of his own people.

Media reactions to the Ukrainian leader’s behavior have become noticeably cooler: liberal outlets still criticize Washington’s ideas but are more frequently questioning why Kyiv is not offering constructive alternatives. Conservative media have been openly critical of Zelensky’s inflexibility, warning that it may lead to Ukraine’s further isolation and a loss of international support.

Trump’s initiatives, while not yielding immediate results, clearly demonstrate the White House’s desire to end the war. Zelensky, on the other hand, appears more focused on holding on to power and prolonging confrontation, rather than seeking compromise solutions that could benefit his people and all of Europe.