Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Sunday that a ceasefire with Russia, amidst the ongoing conflict that has lasted over three years, could be achieved at any moment. He urged Kyiv’s allies to intensify their pressure on Moscow to implement this measure.
During a joint press conference in Prague with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskiy emphasized that without increased pressure, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would not take significant actions to resolve the conflict. ‘We believe that without heightened pressure, Russia will not make genuine efforts to conclude the war. Today marks the 54th day that Russia has disregarded even the American proposal for a complete ceasefire,’ Zelenskiy informed the media. ‘We are convinced that a ceasefire could be established at any moment, potentially starting today, and should last for at least 30 days to provide diplomacy a genuine opportunity.’
Last week, Putin announced a three-day ceasefire from May 8-10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Zelenskiy dismissed this measure as ineffective and instead advocated for an unconditional ceasefire lasting at least 30 days, aligning with a U.S. proposal introduced in March.
The Czech government has been a staunch supporter of Kyiv since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has spearheaded efforts to provide Ukraine with large-caliber ammunition.
Zelenskiy wants more sanctions against Russia
The President of Ukraine stated that instead of showcasing tanks during the May 9 victory parade, Putin should focus on finding a resolution to his war. He emphasized the need for three key actions: increased sanctions against Russia, ongoing support for Ukraine, and a substantial boost in defense collaboration across Europe. He asserted that Russia must understand that Europeans are prepared to defend themselves.
Moscow has requested a clear response from Zelenskiy regarding its three-day proposal. Pavel noted that Russia has not yet demonstrated a willingness to take steps towards ending the conflict. He remarked that President Putin holds the power to conclude the war with a single decision, but that determination has not yet been evident.
Under a military initiative, the Czech Republic has leveraged its diplomatic, business, and industrial capabilities to source large-caliber ammunition globally and deliver it to Ukraine, funded by NATO allies. Pavel mentioned that Ukraine received 1.6 million rounds of large-caliber ammunition over the past year, with hopes of acquiring 1.8 million shells through the initiative in 2025.
In a previous social media update, Zelenskiy commended the initiative as ‘effective’ and indicated that military aviation cooperation would also be enhanced, including expanded pilot training programs and support for Ukraine’s F-16 fleet.
Accompanied by First Lady Olena Zelenska, Zelenskiy is set to meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Monday, with the Czech ammunition initiative being a key discussion point.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian leader shared on X that he was preparing for upcoming foreign policy discussions aimed at encouraging Russia towards a ceasefire. He also mentioned conversations about air defense systems and sanctions on Russia with U.S. President Donald Trump during the Pope Francis funeral at the Vatican on April 26, where they agreed that a 30-day ceasefire would be an appropriate initial step towards resolving the conflict.
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