Ukraine showed readiness for cease-fire, Russia must now respond: Zelensky
Ukraine has shown it is willing to adopt a cease-fire and now Russia must respond, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday, a day after US and Ukrainian officials agreed to put a truce proposal to Moscow.
“Everything depends on whether Russia wants a cease-fire and silence, or it wants to continue killing people,” Zelensky said at a press conference in Kiev, adding: “Ukraine has demonstrated its position... and today Russia has to respond to this,” AFP reported.
The Kremlin says Russia is “studying” the statements following the talks in Jeddah, adds it is waiting for a briefing from US on the proposal that calls for a halt to all the fighting on land, sea and in the air.
The proposal to pause fighting between Russia and Ukraine after more than three years of brutal warfare came after intensive talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Saudi Arabia.
It also follows an explosive spat between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, who lifted a freeze on military aid to Ukraine after Kiev accepted the truce plan -- the latest in a rapid-fire series of developments on the conflict.
Zelensky told reporters in Kiev that the United States would pile pressure on Moscow if it did not accept a halt to fighting that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
“I understand that we can count on strong steps. I don’t know the details yet but we are talking about sanctions and strengthening Ukraine,” Zelensky told reporters.
“Everything depends on whether Russia wants a cease-fire and silence, or it wants to continue killing people,” the Ukrainian leader added.
The truce offer comes at a difficult moment on the battlefield for Ukraine which is losing ground in the east and south of the country where officials said eight people were killed on Wednesday.
And even if Russia agrees to a cease-fire, much remains uncertain in negotiations. Ukraine has pressed for security guarantees, but Trump has ruled out NATO membership.