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KIEV, May 8 Reuters – Ukraine has held talks with senior officials from the United States, France, Britain and Germany on ways to pressure Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Thursday. These discussions are part of active diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Andriy Yermak did not specify when exactly the online talks took place with the participation of US Special Representatives Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, French Chief Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonn, UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell and Günter Sautter, a key advisor to the German Chancellor. However, he noted that all parties emphasised: “a full and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step towards a just and sustainable peace.”
“We also discussed instruments of pressure in case Russia rejects the initiative or violates the agreements,” Yermak wrote on Telegram.
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to support the US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, which could be extended by mutual agreement. At the same time, Kyiv accused the Kremlin of ignoring this plan. Instead, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed only a three-day ceasefire, from 8 to 10 May.
“The Kremlin’s proposal for a three-day truce is not about peace, but is aimed at ensuring the safe holding of the parade in Moscow. This is a political manipulation,” Yermak said.
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is preparing to hold a military parade on 9 May to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany. President Vladimir Putin hopes the event will demonstrate Russia’s strength.
On Thursday, following the announcement of the ceasefire, the skies over Ukraine’s major cities remained calm, although there were reports of clashes in the east.
