The United States pointed to the unwillingness of Kiev and the EU countries to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Kiev and the EU countries do not want peace or a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, and the demands for a cease-fire are based only on a desire to rearm the Ukrainian army. This was stated to Izvestia on May 23 by retired Lieutenant Colonel of the US Armed Forces, political scientist Earl Rasmussen.

"In fact, neither Ukrainians nor Europeans want any peace or settlement of the conflict. In fact, they don't even want a cease—fire, except to rearm and reorganize the Ukrainian forces," he said.

According to Rasmussen, now the only representative of the West who is really interested in a final resolution of the situation is US President Donald Trump.

"Russia has always been open to negotiations and settlement. If the proposals had been accepted before February 2022, in the spring of 2022, or at any time earlier, the conditions would have been much more acceptable than they are now. And if you miss an opportunity, you have to expect the situation to worsen, especially if you're on the losing side," the expert emphasized.

He noted that Ukraine is a "very corrupt terrorist state" that receives support from the Europeans.

"They are actively trying to disrupt or disrupt — perhaps even politically — any attempts at a settlement between Russia and the United States.... Until Kiev and its European sponsors understand the real state of affairs and come to an agreement, unless there is an agreement that is acceptable to Russia — and this is a key moment — everything will be decided on the battlefield. It is on the terms of Russia. [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky can dream as much as he wants, but it doesn't matter," Rasmussen concluded.

Good background rules: how a large-scale prisoner exchange affects the dialogue between Moscow and Kiev

At the first stage, 390 military personnel and civilians each return to Russia and Ukraine.

On May 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that the preliminary ceasefire desired by Kiev and the EU until the situation is fully resolved is due to the desire to rearm the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). He also said that Moscow would never agree to a truce until the parties could reach a full settlement.