Photo: dpa/picture alliance
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that on 11 March in Jeddah, Ukraine unconditionally agreed to the US proposal for a full temporary ceasefire for 30 days. According to him, Russia has been ignoring this initiative for 39 days, despite Vladimir Putin’s statements about the so-called “Easter truce”. This is stated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
“Ukraine’s position remains clear and consistent: we supported the US proposal. Russia refused. Instead, the Kremlin is putting forward new conditions and intensifying terror against Ukraine and its civilian population,” Sibiga stressed.
The Minister drew attention to the discrepancy between Moscow’s statements and its actions. According to him, the 30-hour “ceasefire” that Putin is talking about has nothing to do with real de-escalation. He also emphasised: “Ukraine will be judged not by words, but only by actions.
“We want to see the Russian forces actually cease fire in all areas. And we call on the international community to remain vigilant. The war was started by Russia. And only actions, not statements, can indicate its intention to end it,” the Foreign Minister said.
On 19 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the so-called ‘Easter truce’, which was to last from Friday evening until midnight on 21 April. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that the ceasefire would only take place if Ukraine reciprocated.
However, on the evening of Saturday, 20 April, Russia launched a drone attack. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this is an eloquent demonstration of Putin’s attitude to Easter, peace and human lives.
Context:
– The U.S. proposal provides for a complete ceasefire for 30 days without additional conditions.
– Kyiv supported it back in March, during a meeting in Jeddah.
– Moscow, on the other hand, continues the hostilities and manipulates the notion of a “truce”, using it as a political screen.
