Talks in London may lead to full ceasefire in Ukraine, media reveal timeline
Photo: US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (Getty Images)
A full ceasefire in Ukraine may be agreed upon in London next week. Ukraine is "90%" on board with the US proposal, the New York Post (NYP) reports.
In particular, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov informed American officials that Kyiv is "90%" on board with the peace framework of US President Donald Trump, presented this week in Paris by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and two special envoys working on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
"This coming week in London, we want to make a determination for a full and comprehensive ceasefire," an official told in a comment.
Then, according to him, the intention is to hold (discussions - ed.) with the Russians.
"Then to say, 'OK, this is our best and final offer,' to find out where both sides are at," the officials interviewed by the journalists added.
Moreover, they strongly emphasized that US President Donald Trump "is ready to walk away from the table without Moscow's buy-in, placing responsibility for the conflict in the hands of America's European allies."
Working out the plan regarding ceasefire lines
Meanwhile, according to the NYP, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and his colleagues "will work through their remaining reservations about the peace plan," most of which concern where the ceasefire lines will run.
"I think part of the concern they've got is on the land … just what they call 'de jure' and 'de facto'," a representative of the administration told the authors of the article.
According to him, "de facto" means that Ukraine acknowledges that the Russians occupy this land but is not saying it's giving it up forever, while "de jure" means that Ukraine recognizes that the Russians are taking this land, and Ukraine will never see it again.
'Carrot' for Moscow
The article notes that in order to bring Russia to the negotiating table, the US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff may offer Moscow a "carrot" in the form of easing sanctions and possibly unfreezing seized assets.
"The 'carrot', for the Russians, is a look at, 'How do we reduce the sanctions that are currently on the Russians?' The other is, 'How do you handle the frozen Russian assets - that $300 billion that sits in Brussels, what happens with those, as well?'" officials explained.
However, experts interviewed by the NYP claim this would contradict Trump's earlier threats to increase financial pressure on Moscow - something he has so far failed to do.
"(Trump - ed.) has been very tough on the Ukrainians, cutting off intelligence support and military aid when he didn't feel that he was getting the immediate 'yes' that he wanted from the Ukrainians to agree to a ceasefire," the Atlantic Council's Alex Plitsas said.
Why Russia continues to violate ceasefire agreements
For their part, the Russians continue to violate all the ceasefire agreements they have ever signed, refuse to agree to a ceasefire on reasonable terms, and continue to launch ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine.
"All of that is basically thumbing their nose at President Trump and looking to embarrass him on the international stage because they are refusing to come to basic terms on a ceasefire, which is what he said that he would bring," Plitsas stated.
The White House, in his view, should take tough measures against Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, who "has not been held accountable for his actions in a meaningful way for the last 25 years."
"That's the reason that we continue to see this behavior (from Russia - ed.), so if we don't change this behavior, we can expect to see more of the same from Putin, not less," Plitsas added.
Full ceasefire in Ukraine
Back in early April, US Presidential Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated that Ukraine and Russia were "close" to a full ceasefire. For such a step, the two countries need to agree on the terms.
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clearly outlined the position of the Ukrainian side - Ukraine is ready for a comprehensive ceasefire, but the issue of territorial integrity will not be discussed until this stage is reached.
Yesterday, RBC-Ukraine wrote that the United States, at meetings with Europeans in Paris, set a goal to achieve a full ceasefire in Ukraine. At the same time, the EU wants to know whether the US will toughen sanctions if Russia refuses.
