Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv is open to a full ceasefire, backs US-led push for talks, but insists Russia must prove its sincerity first.
Kyiv [Ukraine], May 20:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed serious doubts about Russia’s readiness for peace, even as Ukraine reaffirms its willingness to pursue a full ceasefire. Speaking after key discussions with US President Donald Trump and European leaders, Zelenskyy made it clear that trust in Moscow remains fragile despite renewed international pressure for dialogue.
“We really want to finish this war… but I’m not sure Russia is ready. We don’t trust them,” Zelenskyy said during a televised address on Monday, highlighting that Ukraine is prepared to agree to a ceasefire — but only if Russia shows real intent through actions, not words.
Ukraine Open to Trump’s Ceasefire Proposal
Zelenskyy acknowledged a positive proposal from US President Trump, who recently called for a “full ceasefire without any conditions” between the two warring nations. According to Zelenskyy, Kyiv supports the idea and is ready to act, provided Russia reciprocates in good faith.
“I was very happy when President Trump proposed a full ceasefire without any conditions or preconditions. We’ve been ready for this. These are our principles: ceasefire and then other steps, including prisoner exchange,” Zelenskyy stated.
He also confirmed that the Ukrainian side is awaiting a formal communication from Moscow regarding the terms Russia would want included in any future agreement.
“I don’t know the principles from the Russian side. They want to send us a memo on how they see the terms. But for us, the first step must be a real, verified ceasefire,” he added.
Trust Deficit Persists as Death Toll Rises
As the conflict nears its third year, both military and civilian casualties have continued to mount, with international aid organizations warning of humanitarian disaster zones in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. Zelenskyy pointed to the heavy toll as a primary driver behind Ukraine’s openness to ending the war.
“Too many losses. We really want to finish this war,” he said.
Yet, a lack of trust remains a fundamental hurdle, with Kyiv questioning whether Moscow’s willingness to talk stems from strategic necessity or genuine intent to stop the violence.
Vatican Offers to Host Peace Talks
These developments come after US President Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to initiate negotiations, potentially at the Vatican, which has offered to mediate the peace process. This follows the collapse of recent ceasefire talks in Istanbul, which failed to produce lasting results, despite limited success in brokering prisoner swaps between the two sides.
International Reactions and Next Steps
European leaders have cautiously welcomed the latest overtures toward peace but share Ukraine’s skepticism of Russian motives. Key EU nations, including Germany and France, have called for a verifiable and immediate end to hostilities, followed by structured negotiations.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has backed any platform that encourages direct dialogue, urging both sides to prioritize humanitarian corridors and prisoner exchanges as confidence-building steps.
Zelenskyy concluded by reiterating Ukraine’s firm stance on peace through action, not promises.
“We need a ceasefire as a sign of real readiness from Russia. That will be the first step toward peace.”