
In case there was any doubt about which country - Russia or Ukraine - was the obstacle to peace, the Kremlin dispelled it this week with its response to the 30-day ceasefire plan pushed by the Trump administration.
Ukrainian representatives unconditionally agreed on Tuesday to the ceasefire during a meeting with United States envoys in Saudi Arabia.
But on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin turned down the United States overture - even if he did so in language designed not to offend President Donald Trump.