Zelinski accuses Russia of stalling peace talks to continue the war

Ukrainian President Folodimir Zellinski accused Russia of trying to “gain time” to continue the war against his country, following the announcement of US President Donald Trump, his intention to start direct negotiations between Kiev and Moscow after phone calls that he had gathered with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart.
Trump made two separate phone calls on Monday, one with Putin lasted for two hours, in the third conversation between them this year.
Trump described the call as a “diplomatic penetration”, at a time when previous talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul had concrete results or a ceasefire.
Zelinski expressed his suspicion of Moscow’s intentions, saying that Putin sent “empty heads” to the negotiating table. He added that Russia is seeking to use negotiations as a cover to expand its attacks.

White House: There are no concessions to Putin

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed to the Senate that the Trump administration had not made any concessions to Moscow, and that Trump’s efforts are part of his electoral promises to end the war within 24 hours.
Nevertheless, Putin refused to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, suggesting instead of working on a memorandum that defines a possible negotiating road map, without committing to stopping the fighting.
Observers in Kiev and Moscow have expressed extensive doubts about the feasibility of this initiative, and Ukrainian analyst Voludmir Vicenco said that Trump fell into the trap of Putin, and that the memo gave Moscow time to continue the war.

European pressure on Trump

Ukraine and the European Union are seeking to persuade the Trump administration of the necessity of imposing new economic sanctions on Russia, especially after the Istanbul summit, and Zelinski denounced the demands of Moscow, which included maintaining vast areas under its control, which Kiev categorically rejected.
On the other hand, Brussels announced the approval of the seventeenth package of sanctions against Moscow, which included 200 ships among the Russian “shadow” fleet.