International attention is focused on the future of the war in Ukraine and security guarantees after its end. Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv is ready for negotiations, but the key word remains with world leaders, primarily the US. Washington is simultaneously offering the Europeans a joint plan to protect Ukraine, and Trump is emphasizing the economic benefits of increasing defense orders. Western partners are discussing a three-tier security system that should become the basis of the post-war deterrence architecture.
Zelensky: Ukraine is ready to end the war, the decision is up to world leaders
In his evening address Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv is preparing for possible steps that could lead to the end of the war, but the decisive word remains with world leaders, primarily the US. He announced contacts with Turkey, the Gulf countries and Europe, which could become platforms for negotiations with Russia. Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is doing everything necessary to end the war, but this requires new steps from partners - from sanctions and tariffs to real pressure on the aggressor.
Volodymyr Zelensky reported on meaningful negotiations with the American side after the meeting in Washington, which created a new basis for cooperation. According to him, Ukraine is currently actively working within the framework of the "Coalition of the Willing", and the Armed Forces, the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and the Office of the President are involved in the process. Zelensky stressed that the key to security remains a strong army, which should receive long-term funding and weapons supplies. He expressed gratitude to partners and called for accelerating work on specific solutions that will help stop the war.
China has refused trilateral nuclear talks with the US and Russia
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said, that calls to join nuclear disarmament talks with the US and Russia are "unreasonable and unrealistic." As explained by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Guo Jiakun, the nuclear arsenals of China and the United States are at completely different levels, and the policies and strategic environment are so different that the trilateral negotiations are meaningless. He emphasized that Beijing adheres to a defensive nuclear strategy and a policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
China's comments were a response to the statement of Donald Trump, who, before meeting with the president of South Korea at the White House, announced that he was eager to discuss the issue of reducing nuclear weapons with Russia and China. Trump claimed that Moscow was already ready for such steps, and China could join later. At the same time, Beijing is convinced that the primary responsibility in the field of disarmament lies with the countries with the largest nuclear arsenals - the United States and Russia. Thus, China refused to participate directly in the negotiations, leaving the emphasis on its own limited role.
US and Western partners have developed a three-tier security plan for Ukraine after the war
According to The Financial Times, Ukraine's Western partners have prepared a preliminary three-tier plan for security guarantees for the period after the war. It provides for the creation of a demilitarized zone that can be patrolled by neutral peacekeeping forces from a third country, agreed between Kyiv and Moscow. The second level will be a fortified border, which will be defended by Ukrainian troops, armed and trained according to NATO standards. The third level plans to deploy a European-led deterrent force that will operate deep inside Ukraine, with American resources supporting them from the rear.
The President's Office confirmed that a model is being discussed in which each coalition country will make its contribution. This involves 4-5 European brigades and US strategic resources. It is noted that the last meeting at the White House was a breakthrough and provided a clear vision of the future system of guarantees.
Also, according to The Financial Times, the United States is ready to provide intelligence and defense capabilities as part of a Western plan of guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war. President Donald Trump has told European leaders that America will become part of a coordinated security system designed to prevent future attacks by Russia. The newspaper’s sources note that Washington is ready to provide “strategic assets,” including intelligence, surveillance, command and control systems and air defense.
Particular emphasis is placed on the creation of a European air shield, to which the United States plans to contribute equipment, aircraft and radar.
Witkoff expects the war in Ukraine to end by the end of 2025
US President's special envoy Stephen Witkoff has expressed about the hope that the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine could end by the end of 2025. During a meeting of Donald Trump's cabinet, he said that this week the American side would organize a series of meetings that would concern the settlement not only of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, but also of other hot spots in the world. Among them, he mentioned the war in the Gaza Strip and the confrontation between Israel and Iran.
"We hope to settle them by the end of this year," said Witkoff.
Trump: The US is selling weapons to NATO countries to support Ukraine
US President Donald Trump stated, that the United States continues to supply weapons to Ukraine, but does so through sales to NATO allies. According to him, we are talking about military equipment worth billions of dollars.
“We are no longer involved in financing Ukraine, but we are involved in trying to stop the war, stop the killing in Ukraine… So we are selling missiles and military equipment – millions and millions, and eventually billions of dollars – to NATO countries,” he stressed.
The president emphasized that it is the allies who are now financing the bulk of military aid. Trump added that the US defense industry is working at full capacity, producing systems like the Patriot and other offensive and defensive complexes. In his opinion, such an approach not only supports the defense of allies, but also creates additional opportunities for American workers.
“Workers’ wages are growing at the fastest pace in the last 60 years… The average American worker has already seen a $500 increase this year, and there is no inflation,” the head of the White House said.
Author: Danylo Pievchev