EU demands immediate ceasefire OR?

 SANCTION EXPANSION TO MORE COUNTRIES

DESPERATION LEADS TO DUMB TALK

This weekend, Zelensky, Starmer, Macron and several others had a meeting and decided that they needed to demand that Russia engage in a 30 day unconditional ceasefire. Their threat, if not accepted, is that they will impose crushing sanctions on Russia. I am amazed that they have any more sanctions to impose on Russia. I suspect they are now considering placing sanctions on China, India or any other country that is trading with Russia. It will have the same effect as former sanctions, further destruction of their own economies with no result to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia's response was that they are willing to engage in direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. It is no secret as to their position, it is the same as it was before the conflict began, only that everyday Ukraine loses more ground that Russia does not desire to return. 

Zelensky then made his demand to have face to face negotiations with Putin, another non starter. I suspect that Putin will never engage in talks with Zelensky, who Russia believes is an illegitimate leader since his term expired a year ago. If talks happen, it will be the usual lower level negotiators. I am doubtful that talks will happen as Zelensky and his allies in the EU are not ready to admit defeat. 

An unconditional 30 day ceasefire is an obvious attempt to allow Ukraine to reorganize and refresh it supplies and manpower to fight some more. Without serious offers to end the conflict, Russia will not enter into such a ceasefire, even if there should be negotiations.

As for Trump bringing an end to this conflict, it is clear that no American president can act as a co-combatant and a mediator at the same time. While Erdogan of Turkey is a notorious double dealer, he is the closest thing to a non partisan actor in the region.

At one time there were neutral player in Europe, but that is now past, there is no one that can act as a mediator, who has not taken sides.

It should be expected that this conflict will continue for some time, until someone,  probably Ukraine, is in a position similar to WW2 Germany or Japan. It is likely the only solution that can end in lasting peace.