Russia 'complicating' end to war, says Zelensky as Trump urges Ukraine to agree to Moscow peace deal

BBC News ^ | August 16, 2025 | Asya Robins & Tabby Wilson

[MinorityRepublican]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire is complicating efforts to end the war.

"We see that Russia rebuffs numerous calls for a ceasefire and has not yet determined when it will stop the killing. This complicates the situation," he said in a statement on 'X'.

On Monday, the Ukrainian leader travel to Washington DC, where US President Donald Trump has said he will urge Zelensky to agree to a peace deal.

Trump has said he wants to bypass a ceasefire in Ukraine to move directly to a permanent peace agreement after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a major shift of position, the US president said on Truth Social following Friday's summit that this would be "the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine", adding ceasefires often "do not hold up".

Following a phone call with Trump after the summit, Zelensky called for a real, lasting peace, while adding that "the fire must cease" and killings stop.

Zelensky outlined his requirements for "a truly sustainable and reliable peace" with Moscow, including a "credible security guarantee" and the return of children he says were "abducted from occupied territories" by the Kremlin.

Trump's comments indicate a dramatic shift in his position on how to end the war, having said only on Friday ahead of the summit that he wanted a ceasefire "rapidly".

Ukraine's main demand has been a quick ceasefire before talks about a longer-term settlement, and Trump reportedly told European leaders beforehand that his goal for the summit was to obtain a ceasefire deal.

Meanwhile, Putin reportedly presented Trump a peace offer that would require Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region of the Donbas, in return for Russia freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

[Timber Rattler]

Then will somebody tell me why Zelensky has banned men of the ages of 18 to 60 from leaving the country, if the conscription age is 25? Nobody seems to want to do that

Nations at war need a labor force for their war industries. The U.S. did the same thing during both World Wars.

Proclamation 1473—Issuance of Passports and Granting of Permits to Depart from and Enter the United States

No citizen of the United States shall receive a passport entitling him to leave or enter the United States, unless it shall affirmatively appear that there are adequate reasons for such departure or entry and that such departure or entry is not prejudicial to the interests of the United States.

Selective Training and Service Act of 1940

[trebb]

“...By supporting Russia they think that they are winning a victory over their hated Deep State/Globalists/Neocons. In the meantime, the Ukrainians are just fighting for their survival.”

Being against Z and is corrupt cronies isn’t supporting Russia - Obama and Biden may not be influences right now, but the clown they created is still the same corrupt guy - he has passed on chances for ending the war and continues to make new demands - as “his countrymen” fight for their survival...and we have wasted billions upon billions propping the corrupt dictator, who cancelled the elections, up.

[adorno]

I didn't think you wrote sarcasm, so why would I take it as such?

Because what I wrote was/is so improbable.

[Robert DeLong]

Well yeah, that is why I asked the question. We do not know what they have to say. That is why I asked for these people still demanding our involvement in this conflict. They do not really even care what the Ukrainian people want. Yet they think they are on the moral high road. 🙁

[UCANSEE2]

There was public evidence that the 2020 US elections were rigged. What evidence do you have that the Ukrainian elections were?

I didn't claim the elections in Ukraine were rigged. I said that the MSM claimed they were not rigged, just as they claimed the US Elections were not rigged.

All you have is speculation and wishful thinking.

That puts us on a level playing field.

That same media said that Trump won in 2024. Do you not believe it?

I did not. I had to get confirmation from various sources before I accepted it. Besides, starting that morning and up to now they have done nothing but claim he didn't win and shouldn't be President.

And why do you not apply that same skepticism to Moscow's pronouncements?

Oh, but I do.

[UCANSEE2]

Putin wants more than that. He wants Ukraine under Russian control.

Some speculation and wishful thinking ??? Or did Putin personally convey this to you ?

[mass55th]

"Because what I wrote was/is so improbable."

Is it? You don't know that, or are you a psychic?

[mass55th]

"Well yeah, that is why I asked the question. We do not know what they have to say. That is why I asked for these people still demanding our involvement in this conflict. They do not really even care what the Ukrainian people want. Yet they think they are on the moral high road."

It's a pathetic state of affairs in Ukraine where your government renews Martial Law every 90 days just to keep you under their thumb.

[Petrosius]

It is not speculation. It is taught in their military academies, promoted on state TV, and mentioned in Putin’s speeches. Putin and his fellow Russian nationalists do not accept Ukraine as a legitimate country. Putin attacked not because he felt threatened by NATO but because he was not threaten by NATO and thought that he could get away with it.

[Petrosius]

I didn't claim the elections in Ukraine were rigged.

I am glad to hear that. Now we can put aside the silly implication that the CIA installed the Ukrainian government.

[Robert DeLong]

It's a pathetic state of affairs in Ukraine where your government renews Martial Law every 90 days just to keep you under their thumb.

That is one of many reasons that I want no involvement by our nation in the conflict.