As Russian and U.S. officials prepared to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to prolong the ongoing conflict.

Zelenskyy stated on X that Putin is hesitant to directly tell President Trump his desire to continue the war and the killing of Ukrainians. He added that Moscow is creating preconditions around the ceasefire idea to ensure its failure or indefinite delay.

Following Ukraine’s agreement to the U.S. ceasefire proposal earlier in the week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Russia now needs to act. He told reporters that “the ball is now in [Russia’s] court.”

Zelenskyy reiterated that Russia is the sole party stalling and being unconstructive, stating that Russia needs the war and Putin continues it daily, stealing years of peace. 

Zelenskyy now argues that stricter sanctions are necessary to compel Putin to negotiate and end the three-year war. President Trump acknowledged the U.S. could take significant financial actions against Russia, but stated he preferred peace over sanctions.

Trump told reporters on Thursday that while such actions could be devastating for Russia, he was hesitant to pursue them because he desired peace.

Putin stated on Thursday that he agreed with the U.S. plan for a 30-day ceasefire “in principle,” but implied that Russia would not agree to the current form of the agreement. Ukraine agreed to the plan after discussions with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, contingent on Russia’s commitment.

Trump stated on Thursday that Russia’s failure to agree to the ceasefire would be “a very disappointing moment for the world.” He also said that had he remained president after 2020, the war, which began with Russia’s 2021 invasion of Ukraine, would not have occurred.

“`