The Kremlin has demanded an entire cessation of overseas navy assist and intelligence to Ukraine as a "key situation for avoiding an escalation of the warfare," in accordance with its assertion launched on March 18.
The Kremlin's assertion follows a 1.5-hours telephone name between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, throughout which they mentioned ending the warfare in Ukraine and the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire to permit for additional peace talks.
Along with halting overseas navy assist and intelligence, the Kremlin additionally referred to as for Ukraine to stop the mobilization and rearmament of its navy.
In the course of the name, Putin introduced that on March 19, Ukraine and Russia would conduct a 175-for-175 prisoner alternate. Moscow additionally pledged to launch greater than 23 severely wounded Ukrainian troopers to Kyiv.
The 2 events agreed to arrange Russian and American skilled teams to "resolve the warfare bilaterally."
Putin additionally praised Trump for "striving to advertise the noble objective of ending hostilities and the lack of life."
Forward of the decision, Trump spoke with U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who advised him that Ukraine have to be within the "strongest doable place" to safe a "simply and lasting peace," Sky Information reported.
The telephone dialogue follows the U.S. and Ukraine agreeing on a 30-day ceasefire throughout talks in Jeddah on March 11, offered that Russia abides by it. Washington subsequently resumed navy and intelligence help for Ukraine after suspending it the earlier week.
To debate the proposal, U.S. Particular Consultant Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow on March 13.
Later that day, Putin signaled that Russia was additionally open to the ceasefire however demanded ensures that Ukraine wouldn’t mobilize troops, conduct coaching, or obtain navy help throughout the truce, doubtlessly leaving Kyiv weak to renewed Russian offensives.
After taking workplace in January, Trump has initiated direct negotiations with Russia, marking the primary such talks between the U.S. and Moscow because the begin of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
American and Russian delegations met in Riyadh on Feb. 18 and in Istanbul on Feb. 27 to debate a path towards ending the warfare and restoring diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Russia.
Trump has made securing a swift settlement to the warfare a precedence, however his administration's method has sparked fears that Washington is sidelining Kyiv and its European companions.
The U.S. president beforehand held a name with Putin on Feb. 12, after which he introduced that negotiations to finish the warfare would start "instantly."
A doable in-person assembly between the 2 presidents will depend upon whether or not "we are able to make any progress" on ending the warfare, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned on Feb. 20.
The Kyiv IndependentShlomo Ben-Ami