If a truce is possible in the Middle East, why is there still none for Ukraine

If the United States managed to secure a ceasefire in the Middle East, then they have enough political weight and tools to achieve the same first step in Russia’s war against Ukraine. It is in this logic that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the new diplomatic situation around Iran, the US, and Israel, effectively implying: the argument that a ceasefire supposedly ‘gives nothing’ sounds less convincing now.

For the Israeli audience, this framing of the issue is particularly sensitive. In recent days, the Middle East has once again become a platform where Washington demonstrated the ability to quickly influence military dynamics and push the parties towards a ceasefire. And it is against this backdrop that Kyiv openly shows: Ukraine has long been ready for at least an initial step — a ceasefire that could pave the way for broader diplomacy.

Why Zelensky’s words sounded like a reproach to Washington

Kyiv has once again brought the topic of a ceasefire back to the center of the discussion

In an interview with Italy’s Rai Radio 1 and subsequent public comments, Zelensky essentially reiterated his key position: a ceasefire is not a meaningless pause, but can become a real prerequisite for negotiations. Against the backdrop of the Middle Eastern example, this idea sounded much harsher than before, because now Kyiv has a clear argument: if diplomatic will worked there, it can work in Europe too.

This is not just an emotional remark. Essentially, Bankova is signaling to the American side: the problem is not that the format of a ceasefire is impossible as such, but that the level of pressure and degree of political determination that Washington demonstrated in the Middle Eastern crisis has not yet been applied to Russia. For Ukraine, this is crucial because Kyiv has long been promoting the idea of at least a first step that can reduce the intensity of the war and create space for dialogue.

The Middle East has become an inconvenient example for all skeptics

Previously, proponents of a tougher line often argued that without a complete and final peace structure, any talk of a ceasefire is meaningless. Now this thesis looks noticeably weaker. Zelensky himself directly emphasized: the example of the Middle East shows that a ceasefire is possible and that it can create the right prerequisites for further agreements.

This is where the main political nerve of the moment arises. Ukraine is not demanding an immediate final settlement of the entire war in one package. Kyiv is talking about a more grounded and at the same time strategic thing: if there is a desire to stop escalation, first stop the fire, and then move towards a more complex contractual framework.

What Kyiv says about the role of the US and the future of the peace process

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expects the same determination from Washington towards Moscow

This line was almost verbatim continued by the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Georgiy Tikhiy. According to him, the success of diplomacy and American determination in the Middle East can accelerate the diplomatic process in the matter of ending Russian aggression against Ukraine. In other words, Kyiv does not hide its expectations: if the US managed to quickly push through important decisions in one of the most explosive regions of the world, then they have enough opportunities for tougher pressure on Moscow.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side separately emphasizes that the main obstacle to the peace process remains Russia itself. In Kyiv, they believe that Moscow does not show readiness for a real cessation of the war, and therefore diplomacy without pressure will not work. This message is important for Israel as well, where it is well understood: any truces in the Middle East also last only until one of the parties feels impunity.

In the middle of this discussion, NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency draws attention to another important parallel: for both Ukraine and Israel, the issue of a ceasefire never boils down to just a beautiful diplomatic formula. It is always about whether the truce has a real mechanism to deter the opponent and whether it will be followed by a new wave of threats.

Kyiv simultaneously talks about diplomacy and pressure

Against this background, there is no pacifist illusion in Ukrainian statements. Tikhiy made it clear that Ukraine will continue to strengthen deep strikes on legitimate military targets in Russia, and sanctions pressure will not be weakened. That is, Kyiv is building a dual strategy: on one hand, seeking a ceasefire as a first step, and on the other, showing Moscow that time is not on its side and that further prolongation of the war will only worsen conditions for the Kremlin.

This approach makes Ukraine’s position more understandable to external partners. Kyiv is not asking for peace at any cost and is not proposing to forget about security. It offers a scheme in which diplomacy should go not instead of pressure, but together with it.

Why this story is important for Israel

In Jerusalem, they are closely watching how the US distributes its determination

For Israel, this whole plot goes far beyond the Ukrainian theme. The region has already seen that Washington is capable of quickly changing the tone of a crisis, negotiating, pressuring, restraining, and at the same time leaving the possibility to return to forceful scenarios. When Zelensky asks why a similar approach was not applied to the Russian-Ukrainian war earlier, in Israel this question also does not sound abstract.

The reason is simple: for Israeli society, American determination is not a theoretical category, but a factor of daily security. Therefore, the comparison of the Middle East and Ukraine inevitably provokes a broader conversation about how exactly the US chooses where to act quickly and where it prefers a long and cautious model.

The main conclusion from Kyiv has already been voiced

The meaning of the Ukrainian signal is now extremely clear. If a ceasefire is possible where the situation seemed close to a new explosion just yesterday, then it is no longer possible to claim that the very idea of a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine does not work. Kyiv believes it works — provided there is political will, pressure, and the readiness of the West not to persuade the aggressor, but to force him to stop the fire.

That is why Zelensky’s words are perceived not just as a comment on events in the Middle East. It is already a public reminder to the White House: Ukraine has long agreed to the first step, and now the question sounds less like ‘is it possible’ and more like ‘why has it not been done yet’.