Tue Jan 21 13:17:55 UTC 2025: ## Trump Claims Zelenskyy Wants Peace Deal, But Moscow Rejects Lack of Concrete Proposals Amidst Ongoing Ukraine War

**Washington/Moscow/Kyiv –** Despite newly inaugurated President Donald Trump’s assertion that he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy desires a peace deal, fighting continues unabated. Both sides launched significant air strikes overnight, with Russia claiming to have intercepted over 55 Ukrainian drones and Ukraine reporting strikes on a Russian oil depot and aviation plant.

Trump, speaking on Monday, stated that Zelenskyy had expressed a desire for peace and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to reciprocate, warning of dire economic consequences for Russia if a deal wasn’t reached. However, the Kremlin’s foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, dismissed these claims, stating that Moscow had received no concrete peace proposals from the new US administration.

The conflicting statements come as both countries continue their relentless attacks. Russia reported seizing the village of Vovkove in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine claimed responsibility for strikes on infrastructure targets deep within Russian territory. These actions follow a pattern of escalating attacks in recent months, rendering Trump’s optimistic claims of a swift resolution highly questionable.

Trump’s plan for peace remains shrouded in mystery. While he has repeatedly promised a 24-hour solution, he has yet to offer specifics. Hints from his team suggest a possible compromise involving Russia retaining control of annexed territories, including Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine, a scenario unlikely to be acceptable to Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reaffirming their mutual support and commitment to a multipolar world order, underscoring the complex geopolitical backdrop to the ongoing conflict. The continued fighting and lack of concrete peace proposals cast doubt on Trump’s ability to deliver on his promise of a rapid end to the war.

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