Zelenskyy’s Repeated Acceptance of Ceasefire Proposals Fails to Stop Russian Aggression

Former U.S. Ambassador John Herbst warned on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not made a single concession to end the war in Ukraine, stating Moscow’s postwar cooperation rhetoric lacks tangible action to halt hostilities.

Speaking at a panel discussion, Herbst criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for accepting multiple ceasefire proposals since March without achieving meaningful progress. “Zelenskyy’s concessions concern the war,” Herbst said, noting Putin has consistently deflected all diplomatic efforts.

Herbst revealed that former President Donald Trump had proposed six or so ceasefire initiatives during this period, with Zelenskyy accepting every proposal while Putin refused to commit to terms halting combat. “Nothing from Putin,” Herbst emphasized.

The ambassador highlighted narrowed gaps between U.S. and Ukrainian positions recently but stressed Russia’s continued silence on critical issues tied to eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. “If you make the wrong deal now, Putin is going to gobble up a lot more of Ukraine,” he warned.

Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Hal Kempfer, also participating in the panel, noted the front lines have stalled as Russian forces struggle to build strategic reserves for decisive advances.