Ceasefire push stalls as Russia rejects 30‑day proposal
The British government leader Keir Starmer spoke on Sunday about the Ukrainian-Russian war with the leaders of the USA, Italy, France, and Germany, a representative of the Prime Minister's office at Downing Street reported. He added that the discussion included the necessity of an unconditional ceasefire.
The official emphasized that during the consultations conducted shortly before Donald Trump's scheduled phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday, it was stressed that Putin should "take the peace negotiations seriously".
"Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe," wrote French President Emmanuel Macron on the X platform after the conversation.
According to Downing Street, the possibility of additional sanctions on Russia was also discussed should the Kremlin continue its current stance on the truce and peace talks proposals.
Reuters reminds that UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy accused Moscow on Saturday of deliberately taking actions aimed at concealing its true stance.
The agency emphasizes that Russia claims that the terms of any ceasefire agreement must be thoroughly agreed upon before signing. Moscow fears that Ukraine might use a ceasefire to regroup and strengthen its forces.
Ceasefire proposal
Russia rejected the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. The proposal was supported by European leaders along with the American president. Moscow, in return, proposed readiness for talks with Ukraine, which ultimately took place on Friday in Istanbul.
However, the talks ended in failure. Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia only agreed on the exchange of prisoners, 1,000 for 1,000.
