Trump Renews Push for 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine

President Donald Trump has once again urged Russia and Ukraine to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, warning that violations would trigger additional sanctions. The call followed his recent conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Kyiv seeks to mend ties with Washington after a tense meeting at the White House on February 28.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that the U.S. seeks an immediate truce and expects both parties to honor the agreement. He also declared that the U.S. and its allies would penalize any side that violates the ceasefire.

Zelensky supported the proposal, calling on Russia to show its commitment to ending the conflict that began in 2022. “Ukraine is ready for a genuine ceasefire starting now—no missiles, no drones, no front-line attacks,” he stated.

Ukraine had previously agreed to the U.S. ceasefire proposal in March, but Russia dismissed it, believing its battlefield position to be stronger as U.S. military aid dwindles under Trump’s leadership.

President Vladimir Putin announced a symbolic three-day ceasefire coinciding with Victory Day celebrations and hosted a military parade attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, Ukrainian officials claimed Russia violated its own ceasefire within hours, with citizens expressing deep skepticism. “When has Russia ever kept its promises?” asked 73-year-old Kyiv resident Anatoly Pavlovych.

Trump has promised to end the war swiftly if reelected and has been reaching out to Putin, signaling a shift from previous Western efforts to isolate the Russian leader. However, Trump’s patience appears to be wearing thin with both leaders as the war drags on.

He reiterated his desire for a durable peace, offering to assist in negotiations whenever necessary. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that if no progress is made, the U.S. may shift focus to other international concerns.

Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia next week, a country that has hosted separate discussions with Russia and Ukraine. When asked about a potential surprise meeting with Putin, Trump replied, “I don’t think so, but the conversations are going very well.”

Meanwhile, Zelensky is working to counter the narrative that he is resistant to peace, especially after facing criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Ukraine’s parliament ratified a minerals agreement with the U.S. that Zelensky had intended to sign earlier. Though it lacks security commitments, the deal aims to jointly develop Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources—a move the Trump administration sees as a strategic measure to deter Russian aggression.