Russian Response Awaited on US-Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal
The proposed ceasefire includes key provisions such as the exchange of prisoners-of-war and the return of Ukrainian children, and its success hinges on Russia's willingness to accept the terms, as the international community urges a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The United States has ramped up pressure on Russian President Putin to accept a 30-day ceasefire, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging an end to hostilities to stop deaths and violence, as talks between US and Russian officials are set to take place today.
The US and Ukraine have proposed a ceasefire, which includes a temporary pause in fighting, exchange of prisoners-of-war, return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, and release of civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that a ceasefire is essential for a lasting peace and that the return of abducted children is a priority. The US has discussed territorial concessions with Ukraine, with Rubio revealing that concessions were discussed as part of a peace deal.
The UK, along with France and Germany, played a significant role in helping Ukraine and the US reach the agreement, with the UK's National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, working closely with his US counterpart Mike Waltz, and German and French officials. European leaders have welcomed Ukraine's support for the ceasefire proposal, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying it is "an important and correct step towards a just peace for Ukraine."
The Russian government is currently studying the proposal, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that they will not comment until they receive more information. The international community awaits Russia's response, with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics saying "the ball is now in Russia's court." The US hopes to secure Ukraine's long-term security and prevent future attacks, and the outcome of the talks will be closely watched by the global community.
