Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for a ceasefire on Victory Day is the start of direct talks with Kyiv, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on April 29 throughout a press briefing.
"Our proposal, which President Putin voiced, is the beginning of direct negotiations, with out preconditions. On this scenario, a ceasefire (for 30 days) is seen as a precondition," Lavrov stated.
It isn’t clear if Lavrov meant direct negotiations would start on the time of the ceasefire, or if Putin's announcement of it marked their graduation.
Ukrainian officers haven’t but commented on Lavrov's assertion.
Putin claimed Russian forces would stop all hostilities from Might 8 till midnight on Might 11 to mark the eightieth anniversary of the top of World Conflict II in Europe.
Ukraine retorted by calling for a full and unconditional ceasefire, a proposal that Moscow continues to reject.
Following the assembly with U.S. Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff on April 25, Putin instructed the U.S. about his readiness to enter negotiations with Ukraine "with out preconditions."
The Kremlin has repeatedly proclaimed supposed readiness for peace talks whereas concurrently pushing for maximalist calls for, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of intentionally stalling peace efforts.
Kyiv maintains that it’s prepared for negotiations however insists any peace course of should protect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and that territorial points can solely be addressed after a full ceasefire.
It has been nearly 50 days since Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire first launched in March. Moscow rejected the plan, demanding a whole halt to Western navy help to Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
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