Analysis: Zelensky's cautious response and unstable Trump

BBC correspondent Frank Gardner emphasizes that Zelensky's response to Vladimir Putin's nighttime offer was characterized by caution and diplomacy.

The Ukrainian leader could have been expected to harshly criticize his Moscow counterpart for not agreeing to the 30-day ceasefire demanded by Kyiv and its Western allies.

However, instead, Zelensky referred to this in a post on X social media as a "good sign that the Russians are finally thinking about ending the war."

According to the correspondent, it is difficult to say whether this is indeed true, as the issue here is not so much about the essence of the events taking place, but rather about external influences.

Both Putin and Zelensky do not want to appear as obstacles to peace in front of Donald Trump, Gardner believes.

Now the main question is related to what Trump will do. And here there are two main options, the correspondent emphasizes.

Trump may think that Putin is finding various excuses not to agree to peace, and is trying to manipulate him.

Or Trump may offer the Russian leader a diplomatic "green light," taking into account his historically warm relations with Putin, and in return, he may start to exert pressure on Ukraine. Such pressure could be aimed at forcing Kyiv to participate in negotiations in Istanbul and to listen to Moscow's demands regardless of whether they ceasefire on Monday or not, concludes Frank Gardner.