Russia rejects Europe's proposals for ceasefire in Ukraine
Photo: Sergey Lavrov (Getty Images)
Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, says Russia will not agree to the EU's demands for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, since, according to him, Brussels wants to use this to give Kyiv time to catch its breath.
He notes that the talks in Abu Dhabi, at the suggestion of the United States, are focused on discussing the parameters of the future security architecture for Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.
"This is a matter of principle, because everything we are currently hearing from Brussels and other EU capitals boils down to a demand for an immediate ceasefire," Lavrov says.
The Russian Foreign Minister also quotes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who stated that there would be no discussions on the parameters of the security architecture until a sustainable ceasefire was in place.
"In other words, it's the same old logic—they absolutely must buy time for their clients in the Kyiv regime and use that time to at least somewhat make up for the military losses it has suffered. We will not agree to this," Lavrov emphasizes.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that if Ukraine left the Donbas, Russia would pause and then return.
Today, for the first time since February, trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia resumed in Abu Dhabi. European representatives will not participate directly in the talks but will hold separate consultations with Kyiv.
