At a United Nations Security Council meeting on May 29, 2025, the United States called on Russia to accept a proposed comprehensive 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, encompassing land, air, sea, and critical infrastructure. Acting Deputy U.S. Ambassador John Kelley emphasized that this deal, already accepted by Ukraine, represents Russia’s best opportunity for ending the conflict that began in February 2022. Kelley warned that if Russia rejects the proposal and continues its attacks, the U.S. may withdraw from negotiations and impose further sanctions.
Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed readiness for continued direct negotiations, proposing a new round of talks in Istanbul on June 2. However, he cautioned that if Ukraine refuses to engage, it risks “the unavoidable defeat of Ukraine on the battlefield with different conditions for the conflict’s end.”
Ukraine criticized Russia for lacking genuine intent for peace and reiterated its refusal to accept any loss of territory. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn called for stronger international sanctions and emphasized Ukraine’s firm stance on defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Donald Trump has issued a firm two-week deadline to Russian President Vladimir Putin to demonstrate a genuine commitment to ending the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed deep frustration over the recent escalation of Russian missile and drone attacks, stating his disappointment and warning that continued aggression would provoke a different response from the U.S. Despite Trump’s outreach and a recent two-hour call in which he believed progress had been made toward ceasefire negotiations, tensions escalated as Russia intensified military operations, capturing additional villages in eastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin has indicated that Putin has no plans to speak with Trump further. Meanwhile, Russia claims to be drafting a memorandum for peace discussions but has not shared it with Ukraine, leading Ukrainian officials to suspect it includes unreasonable demands and is a stalling tactic.
