My read on the situation is that Zelensky is willing to make any deal for lasting peace. Meaning, if a deal is made and Russia ignores the ceasefire or continues its invasion in a month or year, what will happen to them? This is literally what he asked because Russia has violated all of the previous agreements in the same way.

What Trump was offering was to take a chunk of their resources for another temporary peace offer. Which as noted above, will almost certainly be violated in the near term by Russia again. So Ukraine is not only back where they started, but also lost a chunk of their resources. Why would Zelensky agree to that?

Yes I agree with you. There is no way to get lasting peace, really, because the US isn't currently willing to start a direct war with Russia but Russia is willing to test the waters.

US and Russia thought Ukraine was running out of steam, I suppose.

Zelensky refusing this offer is an interesting move. It could, of course, just be for show until next week when he does sign a modified deal.

> My read on the situation is that Zelensky is willing to make any deal for lasting peace.

Yep, but Zelensky/Ukraine needs guarantees that the US will enforce the deal. It's also bs that Trump and crew are putting the lack of peace on Ukraine - literally Russian propaganda talking points.