KYIV: Ukraine said on Thursday that Russia has for more than three months been refusing a US and Ukrainian proposal to halt some three years of fighting without any preconditions.
The inauguration of US leader Donald Trump earlier this year has spurred a flurry of meetings between US, Russian and Ukrainian officials with the aim of halting Moscow’s invasion, without success.
“It has been exactly 100 days since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the US peace proposal to completely cease fire, put an end to the killing, and move forward with a genuine peace process,“ Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said in a statement, adding that a ceasefire was a “basic first step towards peace.”
During several rounds of face-to-face talks in Turkey, Russia has issued terms to initiate peace talks that Kyiv has described as “ultimatums.”
The Kremlin is seeking territorial control over four regions it claims to have annexed since 2022 when it launched its invasion, and wants to replace Volodymyr Zelensky as leader of Ukraine.
Moscow’s forces have continued to make steady but costly gains across the sprawling front line during the talks, and claims Kyiv would use any pause in fighting to rearm and rebuild its stretched forces.
“Ukraine remains committed to peace. Unfortunately, Russia continues to choose war, disregarding the US efforts to end the killing,“ Sybiga said.
“It is time to act now and force Russia to peace. Peace through strength, increased sanctions, and enhanced capabilities for Ukraine,“ he added.
