Czech president on attack on Odesa: It doesn’t seem that Russia wants a ceasefire
Photo: Petr Pavel, President of Czechia (Getty Images)
Russian forces attack civilian targets in Ukraine just as ceasefire negotiations begin. It does not seem that Moscow is serious about a truce, states Czech President Petr Pavel, according to Radio Prague International.
Pavel, who was in Odesa yesterday, March 20, during a massive Russian drone attack on the city, stated that he had received preliminary information about the strikes. According to this information, it was the largest drone attack on Odesa, with Russia employing a new tactic.
"Judging by what we can see and hear, it does not yet seem that the Russian side intends to agree to any truce. Apparently, the kind of pressure that the American president (Donald Trump – ed.) talked about will be needed, and it must be strong enough for Russia to respond," the Czech president specified.
Today, March 21, Pavel visited the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, which was hit by a Russian missile strike last year. The president emphasized that Russia is effectively committing war crimes by attacking medical facilities and ambulances.
"From what I have heard and what has ultimately been documented and submitted to The Hague (the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court), there have been hundreds of such cases... If someone attacks people who are defenseless and receiving medical treatment, it is a clear sign of barbarism — I have no other word for it," he stressed.
Ceasefire proposals
The United States, during a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, proposed a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine agreed to the proposal.
However, Russia demanded that Ukraine accept unrealistic conditions for a full ceasefire. In particular, Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that Ukraine halt mobilization during the truce.
The Kremlin leader agreed unconditionally only to a halt in strikes on energy infrastructure. This initiative may be discussed by Ukraine and the US at a meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday, March 24.
