The situation is as clear as it is inconceivable. The United States is demanding that Ukraine, battered and wounded by Russia, swiftly accept a resolution to the conflict that goes entirely against its own interests, under threat of losing US support. On Thursday, April 24, a smell of burns lingered over Kyiv. In the middle of the night, the Russian army launched its deadliest attack on the capital in nearly a year. A ballistic missile struck a residential area, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

In a brief post on his Truth Social network, Donald Trump reacted in a way that revealed the one-sided nature of his position. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV," he wrote. "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!" There was no clear condemnation of the bombing in a civilian area, just mere displeasure that the attack thwarted the American diplomatic agenda. The demeaning phrase "Vladimir, STOP!" implied a tacit complicity and powerlessness.

The contrast was stark with another message from the US president the day before, in which he once again lashed out at his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and his "inflammatory statements," blaming him alone for the continuation of the war. "He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," wrote Trump.

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