Zelenskyy expects ‘strong steps’ from US if Russia rejects ceasefire

Spoiler alert: Trump will blame Zelenskyy

Double realpolitik spoiler: Zelenskyy expects that and is instead setting up a narrative to demand more action from sane countries (Canada, Europe) when the US inevitably renegs.
But as a fun little gift Rubio set the US up to look like assholes with a statement last night:
Rubio noted that if the Kremlin rejects the ceasefire proposal, "then we'll, unfortunately, know what the impediment is to peace here."
"Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking," Rubio said, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump has been clear that he wants to stop the war swiftly.
This will be egg on the administration's face when they try and walk it back when Russia says "fuck off".
- This will be egg on the administration's face when they try and walk it back when Russia says "fuck off".
  That entire meeting was zel driving a wedge between Putin and Trump. If that wasn't obvious when zel said he thought Putin was afraid of Trump then I'm not sure what else would make it obvious.
  Now it's to the point where it's basically like whoever blinks first is the pussy, think of it like a really dumb petty Cuban missile crisis.
- He set us up to look like assholes if we set Zelensky's whole visit up to dunk on him and blame him for Russia's invasion, so Rubio's sprinkle of respectful/rational comments doesn't really change things

No he doesn't.

Does he?

No - he can't possibly. He's not that stupid. He knows just as well as anyone and better than most that Trump can never be trusted, and especially when it comes to his idol Putin.

So he has to know that Russia could methodically reject or violate every single aspect of this deal, and Trump will just smile and nod and say, "Whatever you want Vladdy!"

So this has to be just a bit of careful rhetoric - an attempt by Zelenskyy to make the responsibility the US necessarily has for this deal manifest, so that he'll have something to point to later on, when Trump inevitably betrays him.

He's trying to make Trump look weak if he fails to meet our end of the bargain. He knows it will happen, Trump is weak, and Trump will say something like, "Strength is looking your enemy in the eye while you suck his dick."
- Trump may be weak but our military won't let us look like pussies and hegseth is too much of a bitch to actually be sec def and stand up to anyone anyway.
It's meant to apply pressure. Failing to provide a strong response would mean that Trump is weak. He is both stroking Trumps ego and subtly poking it at the same time.
- Mm... good point.
  My rhetorical question aside, yes - it's plain that what Zelenskyy's actually doing is putting Trump on the spot.
  But I hadn't put together that the specific phrasing of it also strokes Trump's ego - that's a nice touch
You’re not the audience Zelenskyy is speaking to. He’s speaking primarily to an audience of one. The audience is Trump.
The spectators (i.e. the rest of Europe) are also watching this and observing that Zelenskyy is still doing his best to follow proper geopolitical and diplomatic form, and will probably continue to strengthen their support for Ukraine when orangeboi inevitably fucks them over again.

I wouldn't trust the US at all if I were him. Russia will not honor yhr cease fire but take advantage and Trump will blame Zelensky.

Agreed I get the suspicion that if a cease-fire actually happens Russia will pull a sneak attack during the cease-fire and blame it on Ukraine, which trump will inevitably back and send more weapons to Russia. And that could escalate in other European countries being brought into conflict.
Yes this is advantageous to both the USA and the world. Zelensky played a better game and trump and most of his followers are just too stupid/bought in to see it.

I really hope he doesn't actually believe that and this is just a public statement for pressure, because this is Drump we're talking about, his fingers are probably permanently crossed LMAO

If there's anyone who can run circles around Little t, it's ... well, it's anyone, but it's also Zelenskyy.
- And yet, here we are.

Zelensky should use any pause in the conflict to re-arm like mad. Divest from Starlink everywhere possible, and bring in European weapon systems. Don't even think about slowing down until they're mining Chernobyl for nukes with a stockpile already standing.

oh, the foreshadowing

For Russia, this ceasefire is most likely more helpful to re assess than it is for Ukraine.

It would be odd if Russia would decline it, and it might just be to provoke a reaction from the US, in whatever way that might be.

bro.

have you seen the clown in charge?!