Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine’s partners to ensure Russia does not “deceive” them over a potential ceasefire。
Following significant talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Saudi Arabia, Kyiv announced its readiness to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
However, in his nightly address on Wednesday, a day after the Jeddah summit, President Zelenskyy stated, “We must move toward peace” but warned allies, “The key factor is our partners’ ability to ensure Russia’s genuine commitment to end the war, not to deceive. Because Russian strikes have not ceased.”
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The attention now is on Vladimir Putin’s reaction to the proposed ceasefire. President Trump mentioned receiving “some positive messages,” adding: “We have people going to Russia at the moment.” However, he warned Moscow, “In a financial sense, yes, we could do things very bad for Russia, which would be devastating for them.”
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European defence ministers, meeting in Paris, said it was now time for Moscow to demonstrate its seriousness in ending the war.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey was among those attending and had a direct message for Russia’s president: “I tell president Putin, it’s your move, prove you’re ready to negotiate.”
Mr Healey called on Russia to accept the ceasefire and end the war, adding, “The pressure is now on Putin.”
The Russian President has been appealing to his domestic audience with a visit to Kursk, where Russian forces appear to be gaining an advantage against Ukrainian forces who seized territory in the Russian region last year.
The Russian line advances towards Sumy from Kursk Oblast
Dressed in camouflage, the Russian President urged his forces to defeat the enemy and fully liberate Kursk, speaking to the Interfax news agency, highlighting, “Enemy troops captured in the region will be treated as terrorists,” as Russia’s Chief of the General Staff informed Mr Putin that Ukrainian forces in the region are surrounded.
