Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Russia's Vladimir Putin is preparing a rejection of a ceasefire proposal, but is scared to say this directly to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Zelenskiy has recently signaled his openness to a ceasefire, but wants to see a halt to Russia’s military operations and a prisoner swap. Even so, Trump’s open hostility to Ukraine and in particular has shaken war-torn Kyiv.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy says a 30-day ceasefire could be used to draft a broader peace deal:: March 12, 2025:: Kyiv, Ukraine:: "I am very serious about a ceasefire and for me it is important to end the war.