Zelensky Hails Gaza Ceasefire, Says It Brings ‘Hope for Peace’ in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday praised the “extraordinary” Gaza ceasefire, saying it offered hope that US President Donald Trump could help broker an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
“If a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us too, in Ukraine.”

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, sparking Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated vast parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.

Trump has long claimed he could end the war “within hours”, but despite multiple rounds of talks and even a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there has been no breakthrough toward a peace agreement. Moscow continues to reject ceasefire calls, demanding Kyiv’s capitulation in exchange for peace.

The US president has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Putin, recently suggesting that Ukraine could reclaim all its occupied territories. Russia still controls roughly one-fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called on Trump to channel the diplomatic momentum from the Israel-Hamas ceasefire into efforts to resolve the Ukraine war.

“We hope the American president will now use the influence he has exerted in the Middle East to work with us on engaging the Russian government,” Merz said in Egypt, ahead of a summit of world leaders including Trump.

Merz added that he plans to discuss potential pathways to a Russia-Ukraine peace settlement with Trump during the summit.