Spain calls on Putin to give clear answer on truce in Ukraine
Photo: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares (Getty Images)
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that peace depends on whether Russia is ready to respond to the calls for a ceasefire by Ukraine and the EU, The Guardian reports.
He emphasized that European countries and Ukraine want peace, and now it's up to Russia and Vladimir Putin.
Albares also noted that Spain is ready to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes.
However, he cautioned that a ceasefire is not an end in itself and emphasized that any negotiations, including a potential meeting in Istanbul, should aim to be the first step towards a just and lasting peace.
“If … [it] is just a way of delaying and really kicking the ball down the [road], then it’s worthless,” he said.
Calls Russia for peace
Russia's Vladimir Putin has to respond to a ceasefire proposal in Ukraine by the end of the day, or Russia will face new sanctions.
This statement was made by German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, who emphasized that Moscow must meet the deadline, otherwise, preparations will begin for additional restrictive measures.
Donald Trump's special representative to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, also emphasized that negotiations could begin only after the actual cessation of hostilities.
At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Ukraine's readiness for dialogue, but stressed that a confirmed ceasefire, which is due to begin on May 12, is a prerequisite. This initiative was previously supported by Ukraine, the United States, and the Coalition of the Willing.
