Zelensky is open to negotiating a partial truce under Trump's "strong leadership"

Kramatorsk (Ukraine)The day after Washington suspended military aid to Ukraine, Zelensky said he was ready to work under Trump's "strong leadership." He said this in a statement on social media, in which he for the first time expressed his willingness to accept a partial truce - air and sea - in line with the proposal of French President Emmanuel Macron. According to the president, the truce would begin with the release of prisoners and a ceasefire in the air and sea. This would entail a ban on long-range missiles and drones, and a ban on bombing energy and civilian infrastructure, "if Russia does the same." Zelensky is willing to "move very quickly on all the next stages" and "work with the US to agree on a solid final agreement," he says.

Although he admitted that his meeting with President Donald Trump "did not go as it should have," Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's commitment to peace and praised Trump for having provided military aid during the Republican's first term. "None of us want an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring about a lasting peace," the Ukrainian leader said. In fact, Zelensky even called the meeting with Trump "regrettable" and expressed his willingness to patch things up with the Republican: "It's time to do things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive," he said.

Zelensky, who has suffered a strong setback since Friday's meeting at the White House and Monday's announcement of the end of the delivery of American weapons to Kiev, has also said that Ukraine is willing to sign Washington's mineral exploitation pact "at any time and in any convenient format." "We view this agreement as a step towards greater security and strong security guarantees, and I sincerely hope that it will work effectively," he said.

Ukraine could hold out without US help

What Ukrainians feared most, what they had long suspected, has finally come to pass: the suspension of military aid from Washington. Now the big question is how to move forward and survive in this war without an ally that until recently was considered reliable. This Tuesday in Kramatorsk, 23 kilometers from the front, the sirens have not been silent for a moment. Although no explosions are heard, the feeling of anxiety is intensifying. It has not been a morning: the enemy has advanced both on the Kursk and Donetsk fronts.

Experts say that the situation is not completely hopeless. They predict that, even without American support, Ukraine could hold out for six months to a year. However, dependence on the US remains critical in certain aspects, especially in anti-aircraft defense systems, particularly the Patriots. Only five countries in the world manufacture these systems and replacing them will not be easy. Another vulnerable point is the supply of ammunition for multiple launch rocket systems, such as the Himars. These guided missiles are produced in American factories, and their manufacture is highly sophisticated due to the number of technological components they require. The same goes for missiles and anti-aircraft systems, which are essential for the protection of key infrastructure. In addition, F-16 fighters rely on American missiles, and artillery remains one of the most needed resources on the front. Although Kiev has some alternative sources for ammunition supply, Europe will not be able to fully fill the gap left by the US.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Xmihal has made it clear early on that Ukraine's military can survive into 2025 without US help, as it has the means, "money and liquidity" to continue fighting Russian forces under current conditions. He said budget revenues for January and February are in line with projected expectations, which has allowed the army's needs to be funded. But Xmihal has also sought reconciliation with the United States and said they are ready to sign the mineral exploitation agreement.

Adaptability

But this is not the first time Ukraine has faced a shortage of weapons. Soldiers have learned to adapt and be creative on the battlefield. Drones have been key for a long time, even to replace artillery shells. “If we spot two enemies in an open field, there is no point in wasting ammunition. It is not always easy to calculate the trajectory if there are no clear reference points. In such cases, we use an FPV drone and the problem disappears,” explains a soldier on the front line. On the front lines, the suspension of US aid, which has been discussed for a long time, means looking for alternatives. When asked how it affects the situation, the answers are usually the same: “We have to get through it” and “This war is going to last a long time.”

Lessia Bidochko, a professor at the University of Kyiv-Mohila, points out that the blocking of aid to Ukraine by American Republicans has not taken anyone by surprise. “Since 2023, they have justified it with the election campaign and political games, but the consequences were already clear: Ukraine had to give up territory and slow down.” "Trump pressures Ukraine with blackmail and ultimatums, but why doesn't he use this same fervor pacifier "against the aggressor?" he asks, and warns that Washington's supposed "peace plan" does not differ much from that proposed by Moscow. "The only difference is the speed of execution. Putin has been seeking Kiev's surrender since 2014, and Trump demands that it be immediate," he concludes.

"This is not just a war"

More and more people are comparing the current situation to the beginning of 2022. “We resisted then, and we will now do so,” says Marina, a 20-year-old from Kiev: “This is no longer just a war, our independence is at stake.” Military spokeswoman Anastasia Blikhchik admits on her Instagram account that she has never been as afraid as she is now. “I was not afraid because I knew that the most experienced soldiers were at the front. [...] These people were ready to fight to the death to keep the enemy from getting ahead. We had no help from the West, logistics were chaotic, fighters were not relieved and ate whatever they found in abandoned houses.” Ukraine. But these fighters are gone now. “I am grieving for the fate of my country. I am afraid of losing it,” she concludes.

This fear is shared by all Ukrainians this morning. Suddenly the threat of losing the country feels more real than ever. And in the face of the information offensive on recruitment, the same question that has not yet found an effective answer arises again: how to guarantee effective mobilization?

In Kramatorsk, Sabina works in Cafeteria #1, a place where, just a few kilometers from the front, even the most demanding palates can enjoy a cappuccino with banana milk. The soldiers come here to take a break from the war, and Sabina always finds words to cheer them up. But she confides that she no longer follows the news. “I don’t care about anything. I am a refugee from the village of Dmitrove, near Pokrovsk. My house was destroyed, my family has lost everything,” she says with tears in her eyes. On her first day in Kramatorsk, a rocket fell in her yard, killing one neighbour and injuring twelve more. “Our soldiers are dying, our people are dying. We are dying for the pride of politicians, who are unable to find a way out.” She walks away from the bar and disappears for a few seconds.