The situation at a glance: Trump believes in deal with Moscow and blames Selenskyj

US President Donald Trump sees a deal with Russia to end the war in Ukraine in close proximity and blames the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj. “I think we have a deal with Russia,” said Trump in Washington. “We have to make an agreement with Selenskyj.”

Shortly before, the US President Selenskyj had accused of extending the war with statements. The Ukrainian President, on the other hand, rejected Trump’s line again that his country could do without peace for the Black Sea Peninsula Crimea annexed by Russia.

“Ukraine will always act in accordance with its constitution, and we are absolutely certain that our partners – especially the USA – adhere to its strong decisions,” said Selenskyj in a message published by Telegram and on platform X. To this end, he stuck the declaration of Crimea of ​​the United States from 2018, in which Russia is asked to withdraw from the Crimea, which belongs to Ukraine under international law.

The US President had accused Selenskyj of extending the war with his refusal. “If he wants the Crimea, why didn’t they fight for eleven years ago when they were handed over to Russia without a shot?” He wrote Truth Social on his platform. There are such statements that made it difficult to enclose this war. “This statement is very harmful to peace negotiations with Russia,” wrote the US President.

Trump later said he thought it was easier to negotiate with Selenskyj. “So far it has been more difficult, but that’s okay.” Trump left open whether he will see the Ukrainian president at the funeral service for Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday.

Trump: Selenskyj risks loss of all Ukraine

Trump warned Selenskyj that he could lose even more areas in view of the bad situation. “He can have peace, or he can fight another three years before losing the whole country,” said the US President. Selenskyj is a man without cards and should get involved with a peace deal, said Trump.

Russia calls for a waiver of Ukraine in Crimea and four other regions – as a way to close peace in the war that Moscow has been leading against the neighboring country for more than three years. In the interview of the French magazine “Le Point”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow said that the Ukrainian troops had to withdraw from the areas incorporated by Russia if Kiev wanted Frieden with Moscow.

Selenskyj travels to South Africa

Selenskyj wants to talk about opportunities for peace in South Africa today. According to Pretoria, the visit is a continuation of ongoing placement talks. South Africa has been the leading force behind an African peace initiative for the Ukraine War since June 2023. In addition, it is about the bilateral relationships between the two countries. Selenskyj published photos of his arrival at Telegram at the airport.

Kyiv again the goal of Russian attacks

Russia, meanwhile, according to Ukrainian information, once again attacked the Ukrainian capital Kiev with drones at night. Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram that houses and cars were hit in several districts and caught fire. A house had been destroyed, there were people among the rubble. At least two people were killed in the attacks, 54 others were injured. 38 were brought to hospitals, including six children. Klitschko called on the residents to stay in the shelters.

Ukrainian media also reported Russian air strikes in other parts of the country. The “Ukrajinska Prawda” reported that Ukraine was under massive Russian shelling. Explosions were reported in several cities. “Very loud all over the country.” Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian attack war for more than three years.

Londoner only meet at the advisory level

On Wednesday there were discussions in London at a consultant level about a possible peace in Ukraine. Concrete results were then not announced. Selenskyj also admitted with a view to the argument about the Crimea that it was a day when the emotions hit up. At the same time, he praised that there were discussions between representatives of Ukraine, the USA, Great Britain, France and Germany to bring peace closer. “We are grateful to our partners,” said Selenskyj.

Selenskyj’s office boss Andrij Jermak wrote after the exchange with the US envoy Keith Kellogg in London. “We have announced our position and stated that an immediate, complete and unconditional fire break must be the first step in the start of negotiations on achieving a fair and permanent peace,” he said at Telegram. Ukraine will defend its basic position during the negotiations under all circumstances.

However, the US specialist Steve Witkoff, who had not participated in the talks in London, is to travel to Moscow again this week to discuss the end of the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US news page “Axios” wrote that Witkoff would probably meet the Kremlin boss on Friday. Witkoff had traveled to Russia several times for personal conversations with Putin. Most recently, on April 11th in St. Petersburg he spoke to the Kremlin chief.