Another week begins, and with it comes new hope.

Last week Ukraine and its European allies were together in Kyiv and they are demanding that Russia agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12, which is, well, today. “We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States,” Zelensky said. Further to this, Zelensky and the European leaders held a “productive” call with Trump, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated.

But of course, Putin rejects the ceasefire and he calls on Ukraine to begin direct talks in Istanbul next week. “Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions,” Putin said. So much game playing. So much evil. Just end the war. It can end as quickly as it started.

If America puts Russia under pressure something will happen. But under Trump’s America trust and confidence is low. We live in hope. America remains the key here.

Does Putin really have a hold over Trump? Is Trump really the soulless grifter many people believe him to be. We will soon find out. Either Russia is put in their place, or the world’s values will continue to decline. As my one friend in the US said to me the other day, “There is just shareholder value. I think those are the only values left.”

From what I read in the world news this is meant to be a big week for Ukraine. The Trump team is suggesting that a ceasefire or peace could come this week. But in Ukraine no one believes this. Yes, we all live with hope, but right now it is hard to trust anything coming out of America from the current team of leaders there.

The only way to truly end this war is to cut Russia off. Put Russia under pressure. But no, Trump did the opposite. He put pressure on Ukraine and gave Russia a pat on the back.

In my view, albeit subjective, I don’t see Trump’s peace plans as sincere or genuine. It is like he is faking it, and by doing so the media has been diverted away from the real horrors of the Russian war in Ukraine and are now focused on this phony peace plan. This only allows for further Russian aggression to go unchecked.

I don’t believe Ukraine will fall. They will never give up. But sadly there is a lot more bloodshed and pain to come.

I cannot imagine a world where evil is allowed to triumph over good. But it sure looks like that this is the case.

I was recently at “home” in Kyiv. I am still trying to gather my thoughts. Kyiv is a magical city. Soulful, Beautiful. But everyone in Ukraine is exhausted, and the Russian war is not letting up.

I was recently texting with an American friend of mine who lives in Poland. Both of us roll our eyes when we hear people say “But Putin wants to negotiate”. Putin is not interested in negotiating. And then there is that genius Trump.

This is what my friend shared with me. He is spot on.

You need to understand Putin’s intention: Revenge!

He wants to collapse the West to one degree or another (maybe NATO, maybe the EU) take back territories (not all, but certainly wants to have a veto) which he believes will make him Vladimir the Great, whose name will live for centuries. That is his singular goal. To be a great Russian Hero. Not money, not power. But history.

In my view, Trump sadly seems to want the same. At this stage, I am not yet sure, but as for Putin there is no doubt at all.

My friend went on to say: And see how fast all the big business fall in line with the King. Big tech taking the lead.

It’s every person for themselves. Nuclear proliferation will run. The PM of Poland is talking about the need for nukes.

Darker times are coming.