(New York) – The United States has issued a firm warning to the Russian dictator, calling on him to accept a ceasefire agreement or face mounting consequences, including tougher sanctions and an end to diplomatic engagement. Speaking at the United Nations, US officials confirmed that Ukraine had already accepted the proposal for an immediate, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire. Now the pressure is on Moscow to follow suit.
The ceasefire offer comes as Russia ramps up some of the deadliest drone and missile attacks seen since the full scale invasion began in 2022. Over the past weekend, Russia launched widespread aerial strikes against Ukrainian cities, further undermining any claims of interest in peace. A senior US representative condemned the Kremlin’s latest assault, calling it a clear disregard for human life and a deliberate attempt to sabotage efforts to end the war.
The US warned that Russia’s response will not be judged by words, but by action. A ceasefire must be concrete and immediate. If Moscow fails to respond positively, Washington will consider pulling back from peace negotiations entirely. “We would not be abandoning our principles or our friends,” the US envoy said, “we would be recognising Russia’s refusal to work with us towards peace.”
The US added that any continuation of Russia’s war would only damage the country’s economy, military and international standing further. The Russian dictator has been repeatedly told that this war was a strategic mistake. “There is no military solution,” the US said, adding that the deal now on the table is the best Russia will get.
Following a recent call between the Russian dictator and former US President Donald Trump on 21 May, Russia is expected to submit a formal term sheet outlining its vision for a ceasefire. However, the US made it clear that no credible peace effort can be based on such paper alone, especially as Russian attacks intensify in parallel.
Ukraine has meanwhile reiterated its position. Kyiv is calling for a 30 day ceasefire as a first step and remains open to all diplomatic formats that can lead to a fair and lasting peace. However, Ukraine has underlined that peace cannot come at any price. It will not recognise any Russian control over occupied Ukrainian land, nor accept interference in its sovereign right to defend itself or choose its allies.
Ukrainian officials also made clear that appeasing the Kremlin would only lead to more aggression in the future. The war, they argue, can only end with international pressure on Russia. That includes deeper military, political and economic sanctions. Ukraine is calling for further action against Russian oil exports, the shadow tanker fleet, Kremlin-linked financial systems and the military industrial complex.
Ukraine’s position remains firm: it is ready to work towards peace, but it needs to see the same seriousness from the Kremlin. At the moment, there are no real signals that the Russian side is genuinely committed to ending its war of aggression.
