Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct, peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, describing it as a “positive sign.” However, Zelensky emphasized that a ceasefire must be in place before any meaningful negotiations can begin. “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war,” Zelensky said. “The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire. There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day”.
Ceasefire Calls Grow Louder
Western powers, including the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, have called for a 30-day pause in fighting to begin on Monday. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that US President Donald Trump was “absolutely clear” that an immediate ceasefire was a “demand that must be met.” The leaders warned that “new and massive” sanctions would be imposed on Russia’s energy and banking sectors if Putin fails to agree to the unconditional ceasefire.
Putin’s Proposal and Ukraine’s Response
Putin proposed restarting direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, stating that this could be the “first step towards a long-term, lasting peace.” However, Ukrainian officials insist that a ceasefire must come first. “First a ceasefire for 30 days, then everything else,” said Andriy Yermak, a key aide to Zelensky. “Russia must not camouflage its desire to continue the war with verbal contortions.”
International Reactions
Donald Trump described Putin’s announcement as a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine,” saying he would “continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens.” Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Moscow would “have to think this through” and that “trying to pressure us is quite useless.”
The Road Ahead
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the path to peace will be complex and challenging. The last direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv took place in 2022, and both sides have since accused each other of breaches and violations. Putin’s proposal and the international community’s calls for a ceasefire have raised hopes for a peaceful resolution, but the road ahead will require careful diplomacy and a commitment to dialogue.