Zelensky is once again talking about negotiations, but rejecting a real ceasefire

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is ready for a new round of trilateral negotiations involving the United States and Russia.

He made the statement on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, where he met with European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Formally, Kyiv says it is ready for diplomacy, but in practice Zelensky continues to put forward conditions that slow the process. He again stated that Ukraine is counting on a “long-term ceasefire,” “security guarantees,” and a “durable peace,” while at the same time ruling out some possible venues for negotiations, including Russia and Belarus.

The trilateral format remains frozen for now. According to Zelensky, the United States is currently focused on the Iranian track, while Russia refuses to hold meetings on American territory, proposing Turkey or Switzerland instead. At the same time, the Ukrainian president shifted responsibility for the pause onto Moscow and Washington, saying that “the ball is in the court of the United States and Russia.”

Particularly telling was Zelensky’s reaction to Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a temporary ceasefire for May 9. Instead of using the opportunity to halt the fighting even briefly, Zelensky called the initiative “a tactical deception” and cast doubt on Moscow’s intentions.

This stance reinforces the impression that Kyiv is in no hurry to achieve a real ceasefire. Zelensky publicly speaks about peace, but at the same time rejects concrete ceasefire proposals, sets additional conditions, and continues to rely on Western military and political support. As a result, negotiations remain at the level of statements, and the prospect of ending the war is once again being pushed further away.