Ceasefire in Ukraine is possible — military expert

Military expert Mykhailo Samus, director of the New Geopolitics Research Network and an expert at the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, shared his opinion with Espreso TV.

“For Trump, it’s radical, cardinal, and crucial to show at least some results by April 30,” said Mykhailo Samus. “So far, every initiative he has launched since entering the White House has produced zero results — or worse, negative outcomes. His tariff policies, his approach to the Gaza crisis, his stances on Iran, Russia, Ukraine, and even countries like New Zealand, Canada, Panama, and Mexico — all of it has either failed or backfired on the United States.”

According to Samus, the easiest way for Trump to claim a success by April 30 is to secure a ceasefire from Putin. Ukraine already demonstrated its readiness by signing a communiqué with the U.S. in Jeddah on March 11, agreeing to a comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire. If Trump wants results, he should ask Putin to stop the fighting, Samus says.

“Yes, later he might simply ‘slam the door.’ But that would be a serious blow to his approval rating and credibility — not just personally for Trump, but for the United States as a whole on the global stage. If he decides to walk away from the negotiations and let the situation spiral out of control, it will be the collapse of his political career. After that, the Republican Party could lose its chances in the next election. What the United States is demonstrating right now is a disgrace,” the military expert concluded.

• On April 23, representatives of Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France were to hold talks in London on a possible ceasefire agreement with Russia.
• The U.S. will propose recognizing annexed Crimea as Russian and freezing the front line during negotiations in London between Ukraine, France, and the UK on Wednesday, April 23, according to the Washington Post.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not legally recognize Crimea's occupation, commenting on media reports suggesting the U.S. might propose recognizing Crimea as Russian on April 23 in London.
• U.S. President Donald Trump said that the situation for Ukraine is dire. According to him, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that Kyiv does not recognize the occupation of Crimea is harmful to negotiations with Russia.
• Later, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was moving in the wrong direction when it came to negotiations.