Ready for conversation. Zelenskyy awaiting a clear response from Moscow regarding ceasefire
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukraine is ready for dialogue to begin a partial ceasefire with Russia, which would include a ban on long-range strikes against civilian targets, according to the evening address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He noted that after Easter, the whole world can see the real reason why the fighting continues. The true source of the war is Russia.
“It is from Moscow that a real order to the Russian army to cease fire must come, and if there is no such strict Russian order for silence — there will be no silence,” the president emphasized.
The head of state recalled that on Easter, there were no air raid alerts and some sections of the front saw fighting come to a halt. This, he said, proves that a ceasefire is possible when Russia agrees to it.
“Russia rejected not only the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, which was made during the talks in Jeddah more than a month ago, but also yesterday’s proposal to continue doing everything for peace after Easter… Nevertheless, Ukraine maintains its offer not to strike at least civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear response from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this,” Zelenskyy added.
He explained that the simplest path to such a ceasefire is to stop missile and long-range drone attacks, which would automatically guarantee the safety of all civilian infrastructure.
“A real, lasting ceasefire must be the first step toward a reliable and enduring peace. Ukrainian representatives, both at the meetings in Paris and the ones this week in London, were given the primary task of pursuing an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point. Peace comes in silence,” the head of state said.
Zelenskyy's proposal
Just yesterday, March 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, during which strikes on civilian targets would be prohibited.
In response to this proposal, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he "needs to look into it."
Specifically, the Kremlin leader referred to the Russian terrorist strike on Sumy, which killed many civilians. Putin fabricated a story claiming that Russian forces had struck a civilian site where Ukrainian soldiers were being awarded.
