‘A ceasefire is a trap:’ Forcing Ukraine to compromise with Russia would weaken US, Zelensky warns Trump.

In an interview with the Guardian, President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned former U.S. President Donald Trump against pushing Ukraine into a ceasefire with Russia, describing it as a "trap."

Trump has claimed he could end Russia's war within 24 hours if re-elected, but has not detailed the steps to achieve a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. The presumptive Republican nominee has suggested that both Moscow and Kyiv "want to save face and find a way out," asserting that Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories would be willing to join Russia. This claim was reported by the Washington Post in April, citing an unnamed source who had discussed the issue with Trump.

In a clip from the Guardian interview published by his office on June 1, Zelensky warned, "When (Putin) gains strength, he might issue an ultimatum – to recognize all occupied territories, to stay out of NATO, to forget about European integration. And there will be many such conditions, depending on how strong he is at that moment. Therefore, a ceasefire is a trap."

Zelensky expressed doubt that Trump would want his legacy to be that of a "loser" to Russia in the conflict. He asked the Guardian reporters to envision a scenario where Trump, as president, decided to end the war at Ukraine's expense. Zelensky imagined Trump might seek an assurance from Putin that the conflict was over, then tell Ukraine, "I am giving you no support, no weapons, no finances." He suggested that Trump might also persuade other partners to stop their support.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to a ceasefire that acknowledges the current front lines, but will continue the fight if Ukraine and its allies do not agree, according to a Reuters report from May 24, citing undisclosed Russian sources.

Aside from failed talks in early spring 2022, there have been no direct peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky has consistently stated that Kyiv will not give up territories in exchange for peace.

In May, Trump said he would not commit to providing Ukraine with defense assistance if he won the 2024 election. Zelensky responded, "Of course, Ukraine, without weapons, barehanded, cannot fight against a multi-million-strong army. Let’s imagine that."

According to the Washington Post, Trump has privately suggested he could end the war by pressuring Ukraine to cede Crimea and Donbas to Moscow. Zelensky believes this approach would encourage further aggression, "reducing to zero" the U.S.’s global influence. "That would be the end of any ceasefire, the beginning of exactly what everyone is so afraid to talk about out loud, the real World War III," Zelensky warned.