The "Ukrainians, I think, are willing to make a deal right now that is reasonable and, under the circumstances, fair," Ambassador Matthew Whitaker told a panel at the Munich Security Conference. "But I am just not convinced that ultimately the Russians are ready to make a deal, or ever will be able to make a deal," he added. His message contrasted with that delivered earlier in the day by US President Donald Trump, who said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is "going to have to get moving," as "Russia wants to make a deal."

Trump is pushing to end the conflict, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but US-mediated talks have so far shown no signs of a breakthrough. Moscow has stuck to its demands for sweeping territorial and political concessions from Ukraine — rejected by Kyiv as tantamount to capitulation — and is pushing for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has rejected a unilateral pullback and is seeking robust Western security guarantees to deter Russia from relaunching its offensive following any ceasefire. (Bssnews)