The Ukrainian side has held a series of online intervals with international partners on a possible 30-day truce with Russia. At the center of the discussion is the introduction of an unconditional ceasefire, which could be the starting point for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The office of the President of Ukraine announced this on May 8.
The negotiations were attended by US President Special Representatives Stephen Witcoff and Kit Kellogg. The discussions were also joined by the French Presidential Advisor Emmanuel Bonn, the UK adviser to the National Security Jonathan Powell, the German Chancellor Advisor on Security Gunter Zutter, as well as representatives of Northern Europe, the Baltic States, the European Council and the European Commission.
The head of the OP Andriy Yermak, the Minister of Defense of Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, Deputy Head of OP Igor Zhovkva and advisers Dariy Zarivna and Alexander Bevz took part of Ukraine.
The meetings were a continuation of the initiative nominated by the United States during negotiations in March in Jedda, Saudi Arabia. At that time, Ukraine agreed to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
"The complete and unconditional ceasefire is the first necessary step towards a fair and sustained peace," OP emphasizes.
Particular attention was paid to the Kremlin's proposals for a three -day "armistice" at the time of celebrations in Moscow, which, according to the Ukrainian side, aims to only guarantee the safety of the military parade on May 9, not to promote peace.
In this regard, the topic of application of additional pressure mechanisms on Russia in case of abandonment of a 30-day truce or its violation was broken. In particular, it was about strengthening the sanction regime.
"The 30-day ceasefire could open the way to meaningful negotiations. But if the Kremlin chooses the escalation again, our partners' joint response should be decisive," Andrei Yermak said.
He also expressed support for the bill of American congressmen, led by Lindsa Gramov, which envisages the introduction of secondary sanctions on Russia in the event of continuation of aggression.
