President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine insists on an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire.
He made the announcement on social media.
‘We in Ukraine insist on an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire. This was the absolutely correct proposal of the United States on 11 March this year. It is absolutely possible. But it is possible only if Russia agrees to it and stops the killings,’ Zelenskyy said.
He recalled that at Easter, we achieved a decrease in the intensity of hostilities and the absence of air alerts. Ukraine proposed to extend this state of silence for at least 30 days and make the ceasefire complete.
‘We are also ready for an immediate ceasefire at least on civilian objects and have already stated this. This should be a common first priority with all partners - saving lives,’ the President said.
The Head of State noted that he had met with partners in Paris, and today negotiations continue in London - the Ukrainian delegation has already started meetings.
‘Ukraine has repeatedly said that it does not exclude any format that can lead to a ceasefire and subsequently to real peace. Stopping the killings is the number one task. I am grateful to everyone who is focused on this and helps us move towards ending the war. Peace can come in silence, and the first sign of silence is the absence of terror,’ Zelenskyy said.
- A meeting between the Defence and Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and the UK has started in London today. Earlier, a meeting between the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Germany, France, the UK and the US Secretary of State was scheduled, but it was cancelled due to the absence of Marco Rubio. CNN attributed Rubio's absence to Ukraine's refusal to recognise Crimea as Russia.
- Following the cancellation of the foreign ministerial talks in London, US Vice President J.D. Vance said that Washington had made a ‘very clear offer’ to Russia and Ukraine on how to move forward with a peace deal, adding that ‘it's time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process.’ ‘There has to be some territorial exchange,‘ Vance said, adding that while the border may not end up with the same front lines as it does now, both sides must “lay down their arms, freeze ”it’ and get on with the real building of a better Russia and a better Ukraine.’
- Also today, the First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yuliya Svyrydenko, said that Ukraine is ready to negotiate, but not to surrender. Ukraine will never recognise the occupation of Crimea. In addition, if NATO membership is not granted, Ukraine will require mandatory security guarantees.