Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has disclosed that Ukraine and its allies have agreed to wait until September 1, 2025, for Russia to show genuine willingness and readiness to take part in a bilateral meting on ending the invasion of Ukraine.
However, he said that he expected a response from partners if Russia fails to move by this deadline.
Zelenskyy also argued in favour of moving talks on security guarantees to a more senior level of national leaders.
During a meeting with reporters, Zelenskyy said that discussions by Kyiv’s partners on security guarantees for Ukraine should be “urgently” elevated to a leaders’ level, and that US President, Donald Trump should take part.
He said that he expected to continue discussions with European leaders next week on what he described as NATO-like commitments.
“We need the architecture to be clear to everyone. Then we want to connect with President Trump during a meeting… and tell him how we see it.“
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy added that he would also like to see allies ratify any security guarantees through their respective parliaments, calling for legally binding security guarantees. “We don’t want (another) Budapest Memorandum,” he said, referring to a 1994 deal in which Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances.
Additionally, Zelenskyy told reporters that Russia was building up a force of some 100,000 troops near the eastern Ukrainian stronghold of Pokrovsk, which Russia claims as its territory.
“There is a build-up and concentration of the enemy there. Up to 100,000 – that’s what we have as of this morning. They are preparing offensive actions in any case.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Separately, Ukraine’s top General Oleksandr Syrskyi said that he spoke with his counterparts from member countries of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” about steps that could help secure a just and lasting peace in the war with Russia.
“Jointly developed practical solutions, supported by real mechanisms of political and diplomatic support from reliable partners of Ukraine, are capable of ensuring a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and all of Europe.”
Oleksandr Syrskyi
Russia Told To Show Genuine Willingness For Peace
Meanwhile, 26 member states of the EU signed a new statement issued by the EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, condemning the Russian attack on Kyiv on Thursday, calling out “the reckless nature of Russia’s attacks and its disregard for international law.”
The group – which includes all EU members states except for Hungary, which regularly refuses to back statements critical of Russia – stressed that “intentional attacks against civilians and non-military objectives are war crimes.”
It also warned that “all commanders, perpetrators and accomplices of these grave violations of international humanitarian law” shall be held to account.
According to the statement, these crimes only reinforce “our determination and resolve” to support Ukraine and its people in their defence against Russia and their pursuit of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
The 26 member states also promised to “continue and increase” support for Ukraine and “accelerate” the work on new sanctions against Russia, saying, “Russia must stop the killing and show genuine willingness for peace.”
EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas speaking in Copenhagen, noted that diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war have been seen in the past weeks and it’s clear that Europe, America and Ukraine want peace. “Who doesn’t want peace is Russia,”she noted.
She stressed that Russian attacks on Kyiv showed it was a “deliberate choice” to “escalate and mock the peace efforts.” Kallas added that it is clear that Europe “will fully play its part.”
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