LOS ANGELES (OC).–Complaining again about the most recent Russia drone, glide bomb and missile strikes that killed one and injured at least eight, 49-year-old Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensly pleaded for more air defenses with the U.S. and European Uinion [EU}. Zelensky said nothing about the U.S.-brokered Geneva peace talks that Zelensky walked away last week, leaving the peace process in doubt. Refusing to cede land in eastern Donbass to Putin, Zelensky has kept the war going, hoping to get more cash-and-arms from the EU. Trump said Zelensky needed to make a deal soon or would face the consequences of inaction. Putin reminded Zelensky last night that if he wants peace, he’s going to have to compromise, negotiate with the Kremlin to end the four-year war that’s seen much of his country destroyed, tens-of-thousands killed and m drive millions into exile.
Zelensky met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Feb. 28, 2025, only to get asked to leave after arguing with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Trump urged Zelensky in the strongest possible terms to compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sign on to his peace plan and start rebuilding his country. One year later of more war, Zelensky has lost more sovereign land along the 1,000 km front line, watching Ukrainian cities bombed out in the last year. Putin has been clear from the start, that he only seeks Ukrainian troops to leave the eastern Donbas. Zelensky and his handlers in the EU refuse to cede any territory to Putin, keeping the war going at great expense to Ukraine. Zelensky wants better air defenses but he hasn’t signed on to the idea of peace. Zelensky knows that peace with Russia comes with a price of trading sovereign land.
When it comes to land in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas, Putin controls at least 80% of the territory since the Feb. 22, 2014 pro-Western Maiden Revolution that drove out the Kremlin backed Kiev government of Viktor Yanukovych. So, when it comes to Zelensky giving up eastern Donbas for peace, it’s really no sacrifice at all. “The main target of the attack was the energy supply, bu normal residential buildings were also damage and there was damage to the railway,” Zelensky posted on Telegram. If Zelensky were really concerned about Russia attacks, why wouldn’t he sign on to Trump’s peace plan and end the war? Zelensky complains about Russian damage to Ukraine but does nothing to end the war. He knows that signing on to Trump’s peace plan would end the war in short order. Refusing to compromises has only brought carnage-and-destruction to Ukraine.
Zelensky said the Moscow struck Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poiava and Suny in the overnight attacks. “Moscow continues to invest more in attack than in diplomacy,” Zelensky said, knowing he was the one that walked away from Geneva. Zelensky has had every opportunity to end the war and stop all the destruction and carnage. Yet he wants the U.S. and EU to bail him out, supply more cash-and-arms in a war that’s gone badly for Ukraine over the last four years. Zelensky insists Ukraine has not lost the war, meaning with more arms-and-cash he’s have an opportunity to drive Russia from Ukraine. Putin told Zelensky that if he wants war with the Kremlin, he would oblige the request. Putin said he would not leave the eastern Donbas area now or in the future. Zelensky knows exactly what he must do to end the four-year-old conflict.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said that Russia used over 1,300 combat drones, more thatn 1,400 glide bombs and 96 rockets and cruise missiles, showing how Putin means business to get Zelensky to the peace table. “That is why we must strengthen our air defense,” Zelensky said, saying nothing about agreeing to Trump’s peace plan. “Each such package protects critical infrastructure and maintains normality of life,” Zelensky said, not admitting to his refusal to enter an serious peace process. Trump told Zelensky on numerous occasions that he :doesn’t hold the cards” when it came to negotiating with the Kremlin. Only by agreeing to the U.S. peace plan does Zelensky get back his leverage with Moscow. Only by signing on to Trump’s peace plan can Zelensky stop the carnage-and-destruction. Why has Zelensky refused to cede eastern Donbas to Putin?
Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan has been stymied by Zelensky because he doesn’t want to admit how much sovereign land he’s lost to the Kremlin in the last four years. Fearing a coup d’etat, Zelensky knows if he makes the necessary compromises with Putin, the game is over, exposing to the public his losse of sovereign land. Trump knows that no matter how much cash-and-arms are thrown to Zelensky, he can’t vanquish the Russian Federation. Putin has the resources to keep fighting indefinitely. No EU country is willing to go to war with the Kremlin to fight Ukraine’s war. NATO wants no part of Zelensky’s war, despite sympathizing with al the death-and-destruction to Ukraine. Zelensky has one way out, only to compromise with Putin and trade-and-for-peace. Trump has told Zelensky on many occasions to cut his losses, end the war and start rebuilding his country.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
