The Putin-Russia War: How to Stop Russia from Disagreement with the Ukrainians and How to Survive in Pokrovsk

A new poll by The Economist said that 72 percent of people in Europe approve of his job performance and he would win an election if one were held today. This is an opportunity for him to take Ukrainians’ renewed faith in him, make critical reforms and demonstrate to the world what Ukraine could be if it’s given the chance.

Zelenskyy’s comments capped an intense week of discussion about how to stop Russia’s war on Ukraine. The Trump administration has had meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian officials. On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to enact a 30-day ceasefire, but so far Russia has wanted to set further conditions before reaching a short-term truce.

“Our partners know our red lines, that we do not recognize the occupied territories as territories of Russia, and we will never recognize them,” Zelenskyy said.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump brought up “a very big power plant” when talking about possible territorial concessions, likely a reference to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, which is not generating electricity right now, has been under Russian occupation for the past four years.

Putin said on Thursday that his troops cornered the Ukrainians. Trump appeared to echo that in a social media post, saying “THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY” and calling on Putin to spare their lives. Speaking before Russia’s Security Council on Friday, Putin said if the Ukrainian forces “lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment.”

Zelenskyy acknowledged that the situation for Ukrainian troops in Kursk “is obviously very difficult” but that they had accomplished their main objective: diverting Russian troops from the beleaguered eastern city of Pokrovsk, which has been under attack for months.