Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated his country’s readiness for an immediate ceasefire on civilian targets, following a statement from the Trump administration that it will abandon peace talks unless progress is made soon. The US has proposed a ceasefire proposal, which includes freezing territorial lines and reaching a diplomatic settlement.
Russia had expressed openness to discussing a ceasefire but faced obstacles due to Kyiv’s ban on direct talks with Moscow. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine remains open to various formats for negotiations. Officials from the US, Europe, and Ukraine will meet in London on Wednesday to discuss a way forward.
The US Vice President, JD Vance, expressed optimism about making peace, citing an “extraordinary amount of diplomacy” and a “very fair proposal.” Vance stated that it is now time to take the final steps towards ending the killing and reaching long-term peace. The talks come as American patience begins to wear thin, with the deadline for progress being just days away.
The meeting in London follows a unilateral “Easter truce” declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, which Zelensky described as a demonstration of Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace efforts. Ukraine has insisted on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, citing scheduling issues and disagreements over Crimea’s status as reasons for the downgraded meeting.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-ukraine-ready-immediate-ceasefire-2063003