The ceasefire conditions presented by Russia to pause the war with Ukraine suggest that Moscow does not genuinely seek peace, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said, “The Russians are presenting as conditions all their ultimate goals that they want to achieve in the war.”
She stressed that the terms laid out by Moscow raise doubts about its intentions in the peace process.
Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for a U.S. proposal to end the conflict through peaceful means but said that significant details still needed to be negotiated before agreeing to a truce. Among Russia’s objections is the presence of international peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Putin, in his Thursday statement, said a temporary ceasefire could benefit Ukraine under current conditions but emphasized that the “fundamental causes of the war” must be addressed.
A ceasefire should lead to “an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis,” Putin said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered that peace should not be conditional and dismissed Russia’s stance on the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
The latest diplomatic developments follow negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, where Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
In response, Washington announced the resumption of its previously suspended military aid to Kyiv. “We are really pleased with the talks in Jeddah and their results,” Kallas said. “Now we have to see that the ball is in Russia’s court.”
She stressed that the terms laid out by Moscow raise doubts about its intentions in the peace process.
Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for a U.S. proposal to end the conflict through peaceful means but said that significant details still needed to be negotiated before agreeing to a truce. Among Russia’s objections is the presence of international peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Putin, in his Thursday statement, said a temporary ceasefire could benefit Ukraine under current conditions but emphasized that the “fundamental causes of the war” must be addressed.
A ceasefire should lead to “an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis,” Putin said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered that peace should not be conditional and dismissed Russia’s stance on the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
The latest diplomatic developments follow negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, where Ukraine accepted a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
In response, Washington announced the resumption of its previously suspended military aid to Kyiv. “We are really pleased with the talks in Jeddah and their results,” Kallas said. “Now we have to see that the ball is in Russia’s court.”
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