Volodymyr Zelenskyy said an interim ceasefire with Russia was possible any moment, “even starting today,” if Moscow agreed to the US proposal. Ukraine’s president rejected a Russian truce for three days from May 8 to 10.
Czech president says Putin can agree to ceasefire with ‘a single decision’
Czech President Petr Pavel backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments that called for increased pressure on Moscow to have it agree to an interim 30-day ceasefire.
“If someone has all the cards in their hand to end the war then it is President Putin, who can do it with a single decision,” Pavel told reporters.
“But so far the will has not appeared.”
The Czech government has been a firm backer of Kyiv’s efforts to defend itself against Russian forces, and has led an initiative to supply Ukraine with large-calibre ammunition.
Zelenskyy, who is accompanied on the trip by first lady Olena Zelenska, will meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Monday, with the Czech ammunition drive among the topics on the agenda.
The Ukrainian leader said on X on Saturday he was preparing for upcoming foreign policy meetings with a focus on helping push Russia toward a ceasefire.
Zelenksyy says ceasefire with Russia ‘possible’ any moment with increased pressure on Moscow
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with Czech President Petr Pavel that a ceasefire with Moscow would be possible “at any moment.”
“We believe that without increased pressure, Russia will not take real practical steps to end the war. Today marks the 54th day that Russia has ignored even the American proposal to completely cease fire,” Zelenskyy told reporters.
“We believe that a ceasefire is possible at any moment, even starting today, and should last at least 30 days to give diplomacy a real chance.”
Ukraine accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States in March, following peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
Russia has yet to accept the offer, and the country’s leader, Vladimir Putin, declared a three-day ceasefire over May 8-10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/zelenskyy-ceasefire-possible-the-moment-russia-agrees/live-72428301