Zelenskyy and Trump discuss sanctions and defense on the eve of a critical moment

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed a series of diplomatic conversations with the American leader Donald Trump, addressing key issues related to the current military conflict with Russia. During the meeting, the two heads of state discussed critically important topics, including potential sanctions mechanisms and defense strategies.

In an official statement, Zelensky emphasized Moscow's exceptional sensitivity to the introduction of new economic restrictions. The American president has already announced that if Russia does not reach a ceasefire agreement by Friday, drastic economic measures will be taken.

The upcoming visit of the American envoy Steve Witcoff to the Russian capital is seen as a key diplomatic move. He is expected to hold negotiations with President Vladimir Putin, which could significantly influence the geopolitical situation.

The Kremlin has so far demonstrated relative resilience to sanctions threats. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the Russian economy has developed a certain immunity due to the prolonged period of international restrictions.

Trump does not hide his intention to exert pressure on Russia's trading partners. Recently announced tariffs on imports from India are directly related to pressure on countries that continue to trade with Moscow. The goal is to limit the financial flow that supports Russia's military actions in Ukraine.

During the conversations, Zelensky and Trump also discussed the increasing brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities. The American president expressed his concern about the frequent bombings that occur even after a series of diplomatic communications.

Relations between the two leaders are gradually improving, after previously being marked by tension. A telling fact is that the US has already announced the sale of high-tech weapons to NATO countries, which will subsequently be transferred to Kyiv.

Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden will be the first countries to participate in this mechanism. Their combined investments amount to over 1 billion dollars and are aimed at purchasing defensive equipment and ammunition.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the war continues to cause serious human losses. For the past day, authorities report six civilian casualties in the eastern part of Ukraine.

Putin remains skeptical about quickly achieving a truce, emphasizing that "disappointments stem from overly inflated expectations". This position further complicates diplomatic negotiations and raises questions about the possibility of a quick resolution to the conflict.

The international community continues to follow the developments with tension, with the hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict remaining a leading priority for most state leaders.