Andriy Yermak: Ukraine is working with partners to achieve complete ceasefire

Ukraine, together with its partner countries, is striving to achieve a complete and unconditional ceasefire, which will pave the way for a just and lasting peace. This was stated by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak during a meeting of the LB.ua Club. The event was also attended by Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Zhovkva. 

‘It is difficult to talk about an ‘energy truce’ after Kryvyy Rih. We need to talk about a complete ceasefire, very clear monitoring and control. It is important that this control is provided by the Americans. With the involvement of our European partners, if they are ready,’ he said.

According to Andriy Yermak, 30 days is enough time to understand whether the ceasefire is actually working. Ukraine also insists on another very important point - the humanitarian track. It is about the release of military and civilian prisoners and the return of illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children. 

Andriy Yermak also noted that there is already a gradual change in the attitude of those US representatives who believed that a compromise could be found with Russia. After all, American partners see how the aggressor state violates the agreements reached. That is why it is so important to continue to put pressure on Russia, including sanctions. 

The Head of the President's Office noted the unanimous position of European countries on this issue at the recent meeting of leaders in Paris. During the conversation, it was discussed that to ensure its security, Ukraine must rely primarily on the capabilities of its army and domestic defence production. 

‘The most effective security guarantees for Ukraine are modern defence forces with a high degree of readiness, which guarantee the non-recurrence of 24 February 2022, and which exclude aggression against Ukraine by their combat capabilities,’ said Pavlo Palisa.

Consultations are also ongoing on the possibility of deploying a foreign contingent on the territory of Ukraine. According to the deputy head of the Presidential Office, our country has proposed a plan to European partners, who are assessing it from a military point of view and holding relevant consultations in the political sphere.

The LB.ua Club is a series of private events with the participation of politicians, statesmen, businessmen, journalists, experts, and diplomats, held in an informal and friendly atmosphere in compliance with the Chatham House rules. It has been held jointly with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation since 2019. Usually, all materials from the Club are not subject to disclosure. However, the publication has made an exception twice during this time: the first time, when it published a speech by Metropolitan Epiphanius, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and now, given that part of the last meeting was held in the format of a public interview with Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, and Pavlo Palisa, his deputy, and the importance of the topic (peace negotiations), this interview will soon be published on LB.ua.