A significant escalation occurred early on April 24 as a mass Russian missile attack targeted Kyiv, resulting in five injuries and a series of explosions around 1:00 a.m. local time.
This incident underscores the ongoing violence as diplomatic efforts toward peace are marred by conflicting positions on both sides.
In the backdrop of these attacks, U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg emphasized the need to move forward with U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive, calling for an end to the violence and a renewed focus on achieving peace while prioritizing American interests.
However, the White House expressed concern that President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is heading in the wrong direction regarding peace negotiations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that Zelensky’s approach could hinder progress.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s demands, insisting that Ukraine must recognize Russia’s claims over four partially occupied oblasts as a precondition for ending the conflict. Peskov also called for Ukraine to maintain a neutral status and cease all Western military support.
Despite these demands, Ukraine remains steadfast in its insistence on an unconditional ceasefire during the London peace talks.
Originally intended as a high-level ministerial summit involving the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Ukraine, the talks were notably downgraded due to the absence of key U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who both declined to participate.
Ukraine faces a significant dilemma, particularly amid reports suggesting that the Trump administration may recognize Crimea as Russian territory, which could influence the dynamics of the peace talks negatively for Ukraine.
Kyiv residents expressed deep concerns about the implications of the U.S. proposal, fearing that it might undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and embolden Russia further.
In a surprising statement, Trump claimed that no one is pressuring Zelensky to officially recognize Crimea as part of Russia, while questioning why Ukraine did not oppose the annexation when it first occurred eleven years ago.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, expressed skepticism about achieving a peace deal within the week, stating, “I’m hopeful that we can get to something quickly, but I don’t know about by the end of the week.”
Amid these negotiations, reports have emerged indicating that Russia has recruited over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries to bolster its military efforts in Ukraine. This recruitment contradicts Putin’s earlier claims that Russia has no need for foreign fighters.
Experts caution that if Trump formally recognizes Crimea as Russian, it could breach international law and potentially escalate tensions globally, making both Ukraine and the U.S. the biggest losers.
On April 23, U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated that the administration had presented a clear proposal for a peace deal, warning that the U.S. might abandon its mediation efforts if no progress is made by the warring parties.
This situation has sparked outrage among Ukrainian lawmakers, describing Trump’s reported proposal regarding Crimea as ‘dangerous and cruel’, reflecting national sentiments over potential compromises on territorial integrity.
The atmosphere was further complicated by a meeting convened in London for downgraded peace talks involving U.S., Ukraine, and European allies.
Earlier this month, Ukraine summoned the Chinese envoy, prompting a response from Beijing that labeled the accusations as groundless and politically motivated. This incident represents another layer of complexity in the international dynamics surrounding the conflict.
In response to these ongoing conflicts, Russian President Putin acknowledged deficiencies in Russia’s weapon manufacturing, despite significant increases in production over the past year.
Amid this turmoil, Ukraine continues to assert the necessity of an ‘immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,’ with President Zelensky calling for an immediate halt to hostilities.
On the European front, the European Commission is exploring measures to prohibit new contracts for Russian gas, indicating a firm stance against continuing reliance on Russian energy amid the ongoing conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko stated that Ukraine is ready for negotiations, provided they do not involve a surrender that would allow Russia to regroup and launch further attacks, highlighting the delicate balance of power at play.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains fluid and precarious, with many uncertainties looming over the future of Ukraine and its interactions with both Russia and Western allies.
image source from：https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-faces-pressure-to-respond-to-us-proposals-on-ending-war-with-russia-wsj-reported/
