As the prospect of a truce fades, Ukraine is witnessing an intensification of Russian strikes and assaults along the frontline. Following the call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Donald Trump on Monday, May 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had no choice but to accept the vague promise of a memorandum concerning a possible peace treaty, with the most important aspect for him being that the negotiation process continues to involve "both American and European representatives at the appropriate level."

At the same time, Ukrainians note that while Putin seems to promise Trump a resolution to the conflict, the objectives of his invasion remain unchanged for the moment. The Russian president, holding the advantage on the front, has not given up on demanding Ukrainian concessions equivalent to a capitulation of the country to end the war. Of note, he insists that Kyiv accept strict limits on the deployment of its army and recognize the annexation by the Russian Federation of four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by Kremlin forces.

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