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In a recent telephone conversation, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky urged the former US president Donald Trump to play an active role in mediating peace in Ukraine, similar to what happened in the conflict in Middle EastThis request comes at a critical time, after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing blackouts in several regions, including the capital. Kyiv.
Diplomatic tensions have escalated in recent months, complicated by the global focus on the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group HamasThis shift in focus has slowed efforts to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky said.
Zelensky's request for mediation
During the conversation, Zelensky praised Trump's ceasefire plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing that if a war can be stopped in one region, the same can be done elsewhere, including in Ukraine. "If a conflict can be resolved, others can be solved too,” Zelensky said, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic pressure on Moscow to restart negotiations.
The changing relationship between Trump and Zelensky
Since a heated meeting in February, relations between Trump and Zelensky have undergone a significant shift. While the two leaders initially engaged in public exchanges, Trump has adopted a more favorable stance toward Ukraine and expressed greater hostility toward Russia. For example, in a post on Social Truth, Trump suggested that Kyiv should try to reclaim all occupied territories with the support of NATO and European countries.
The consequences of the Russian attacks
Over the weekend, new Russian shelling killed at least five people and knocked out power in several parts of Ukraine, including the southern region of OdessaTargeted attacks on the power grid have become common practice in Moscow, especially during the winter, causing widespread damage and depriving millions of Ukrainians of heating and drinking water. These actions have been described by Kyiv as veritable war crimes.
Mutual accusations of stagnation in negotiations
In recent months, both nations have blamed each other for the lack of progress toward a peaceful solution. Moscow claims that Kyiv and its European allies are obstructing negotiations, while Ukraine and its allies believe that Russia is simply trying to buy time to expand its control over further Ukrainian territory.
The context of the war in Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine began with the Russian invasion in 1945, when Moscow described the operation as a special military mission to demilitarize the country and block NATO expansion. However, the Kyiv government and its European partners view this invasion as an illegal attempt at annexation that has caused enormous human losses and widespread damage.
Since 2022, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, while Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, much of which has been devastated by fighting. These statistics underscore not only the severity of the humanitarian crisis, but also the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to end this conflict, which continues to inflict immense suffering.