President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on April 24 that Russia had anticipated the day past's peace talks in London to unravel into a significant scandal, however as an alternative Ukraine and its allies confirmed a shared dedication to work in the direction of peace.
The London assembly adopted a summit in Paris on April 17, the place senior Trump administration officers outlined a controversial peace proposal to Ukrainian and European delegates.
The plan reportedly consists of U.S. recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine's NATO membership — two central calls for by the Kremlin.
"Yesterday, there was a gathering in London, and European international locations have been current, together with Ukraine, Britain, France, Germany, and the USA," Zelensky mentioned throughout a press convention in South Africa on April 24.
"It was not straightforward, nevertheless it was constructive. It ended not with disagreements, however with a want to work additional."
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine wouldn’t negotiate its territorial integrity below strain.
"Russia doesn’t just like the alliance round Ukraine, as a result of Ukraine, whether it is alone, is a neater goal for Russia," he mentioned. "Even within the first days of the battle, after we have been nearly on the finish of our rope, we managed to outlive. Consider me, we’re a lot stronger now."
In keeping with Reuters, Kyiv submitted a doc to European companions on April 22 reaffirming that it will not enter negotiations on territorial points till a "full and unconditional ceasefire" is achieved.
The assertion reportedly prompted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff to drag out of the London summit, downgrading what was initially supposed as a ministerial-level gathering.
Regardless of their absence, the U.Okay. International Ministry mentioned on April 23 that "vital progress" had been made and emphasised a unified dedication to U.S. President Donald Trump's acknowledged purpose of a "simply and lasting peace."
In the meantime, Trump has denied claims that the U.S. is pressuring Ukraine to just accept the popularity of Crimea as Russian territory.
"No person is asking Zelensky to acknowledge Crimea as Russian Territory," he wrote on Fact Social on April 23, whereas concurrently calling Zelensky's agency stance "dangerous to the peace negotiations."
Someday after the talks, Russia launched lethal strikes on Kyiv amid ongoing diplomatic outreach, killing eight civilians and injuring 77.
In response, Trump wrote on April 24 that he was "not proud of the Russian strikes on Kyiv."
He urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to "cease" and "get the peace deal achieved," however stopped in need of condemning the assault or threatening penalties.
Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is prepared if Russia additionally agrees to the terms.
Thus far, Moscow has refused.
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk