Ukraine is bracing for a fresh round of peace negotiations as early as next week, amid reports from Ukrainian officials that the Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to push Kyiv toward concessions with Russia, aiming to conclude the conflict by early summer.
Kyiv finds itself in a precarious position, attempting to satisfy American demands while firmly resisting compromises on its territory and other critical matters. President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly voiced his frustration, noting that the U.S. appears to be pressuring Ukraine more forcefully than Russia to yield. Despite this, he underscores Ukraine’s need to maintain the Trump administration’s involvement in the peace process.
Last week, President Zelensky indicated that the U.S. objective to end the war by June is influenced by America’s upcoming midterm elections. He suggested that as these elections draw closer, the Trump administration’s attention might shift away from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“Naturally, we hope the Americans remain committed,” Zelensky remarked regarding the peace discussions. He specifically pointed to the U.S.-imposed June deadline, stating his belief that the Trump administration would “likely exert pressure on all parties to adhere to that schedule.”
Both Ukrainian officials and independent analysts observe that Russia shows no inclination to cease hostilities. This stance is bolstered by Moscow’s continued financial and military capacity, coupled with its slow but persistent advances on the front lines.
This week, President Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s intention to dispatch a delegation to Florida for talks, though Russia’s participation remains unconfirmed. A previous meeting in the United Arab Emirates involving both sides and an American delegation yielded minimal progress towards a peaceful resolution.
The potential response of the United States if Ukraine fails to concede on territorial disputes and electoral timelines remains ambiguous. President Trump has consistently articulated his desire to claim success in ending the war, even as his administration’s past deadlines have passed without significant repercussions. Despite Ukraine’s resistance to certain Russia-aligned proposals, American officials continue to be involved in the negotiations.
While President Zelensky asserts that he has received no indication of a U.S. withdrawal, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a Ukrainian Member of Parliament, claims the Trump administration has indeed threatened to disengage from the negotiations if Ukraine proves unwilling to compromise, particularly regarding holding elections.
According to MP Yurchyshyn’s parliamentary insights, the U.S. reportedly insisted during the Emirates talks this month that Ukraine conduct elections by May 15th. Given the ongoing intense conflict, he finds it highly improbable that Ukraine could realistically organize elections so quickly.
This American push for elections aligns squarely with Russia’s demands. President Vladimir Putin has publicly stated that Zelensky’s legitimacy is in question, claiming he is ‘afraid to run in a presidential election,’ and therefore any agreement signed with him would be ‘pointless.’
Under martial law, elections in Ukraine have been on hold since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Public opinion surveys reveal scant support for resuming elections until the conflict concludes and safe voting conditions can be assured.
Nevertheless, some opposition figures suggest that President Zelensky might favor early elections, potentially offering him an advantage over rivals who are less prepared for a swift campaign.
On Thursday, a leading Ukrainian lawmaker announced that President Zelensky has tasked Parliament with drafting legislation for wartime elections. A dedicated working group is expected to present a preliminary plan within the next few weeks.
Regardless of any concessions, Ukraine maintains that it cannot finalize an agreement with Moscow without robust security guarantees from its Western allies, essential to deter any future Russian incursions.
The precise nature of these crucial security guarantees remains undefined, even after years of discussions and a surge in diplomatic activity since Mr. Trump assumed office.
Both American and Ukrainian officials have consistently claimed significant headway on security guarantees, suggesting a document is nearing completion. However, recent talks appear to have concentrated on operational details, like the order of reactions to ceasefire breaches, while fundamental questions—vital for Ukraine before agreeing to any Russian concessions—remain unanswered.
Many in Kyiv harbor suspicions that President Putin would ultimately dismiss any agreement that incorporates security guarantees strong enough to satisfy Ukraine’s requirements.
“We aim for a war’s end that satisfies both the U.S. and the Ukrainian populace,” President Zelensky affirmed. He stressed that “even compromises must be fair,” further stating, “I would greatly prefer that we secure safety assurances before signing any other agreements.”
Territory remains a highly contentious issue in the negotiations. The United States is urging Kyiv to make concessions regarding the Donbas, Ukraine’s eastern region. Last week, President Zelensky revealed that President Putin had explicitly requested this territory from Mr. Trump, summarizing Putin’s demand as: “Likely something like: Give me all of Donbas, and I’ll end the war. That’s the short version.”
Zelensky stated that the U.S. has once again proposed that Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas territories it currently governs, suggesting the area be transformed into a ‘free economic zone.’
However, Zelensky noted that “neither Ukraine nor Russia has ever been enthusiastic about this concept.” He reiterated Ukraine’s persistent proposal: a mutual withdrawal of both armies to an equal distance from the front line.
Should Ukraine agree to a full withdrawal from Donbas, it remains ambiguous whether the region would then fall under Russian, international, or some other form of governance and policing.
Despite ongoing peace talks, President Zelensky warns that all signs point to the Russian Army “preparing to continue fighting.” He cited Ukrainian intelligence reports indicating a significant increase in Russia’s weapons production.
Historically, Russia has launched major offensives each spring during the war. This pattern is anticipated to repeat this year, as Moscow aims to seize more territory and amplify its leverage in negotiations with Ukraine.
Mykhailo Samus, director of Kyiv’s independent New Geopolitics Research Network, asserts that “Russia will only consider a freeze in the conflict when it unambiguously loses its economic and military resource advantages.”
He urged against wishful thinking, stating, “Instead of fantasies, we need tighter restrictions on Russian oil and robust air defense systems for Ukraine.” Samus concluded with a bleak assessment: “In diplomacy, I see zero signs of progress.”
Crucially, Russian oil revenues, a primary driver of its war machine, have seen a substantial decline, partly due to Trump administration sanctions. Western assessments also indicate that Moscow is now recruiting fewer soldiers than it is losing on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Despite these setbacks, Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine persist. The Conflict Intelligence Team, a research organization that analyzes open-source information, reported a rise in civilian casualties throughout 2025.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Ukrainian human rights lawyer from the Center for Civil Liberties, took to social media to articulate a question weighing heavily on many Ukrainians after a year of peace talks: “Why has Trump’s year of negotiations been the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion?”