'We must not wait, but take serious steps': Zelenskyy calls for real action against Russia

"Everyone wants at least a ceasefire as the first step — let’s make that happen. I believe it will only come through pressure; otherwise, they simply don’t want to do anything, and we are eagerly awaiting sanctions measures," the president emphasized.

He noted that Ukraine was indeed waiting for Russia to present its list of conditions and explain what it wants for a ceasefire.

"Yes, a ceasefire, and then an agenda for a leaders’ meeting. We waited for this before the prisoner exchange; then they said the agenda or memorandum would be released immediately after the exchange. But after the exchange, we did not receive it," the head of state said.

He also mentioned that Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov called the head of the Russian delegation, Volodymyr Medynskyi.

"They said it would come, it would come, but we never got it. No one did. We asked the United States. They were also waiting. Everyone was waiting. Maybe we shouldn’t wait anymore, but rather take more serious steps," Zelenskyy concluded.

Russia’s memorandum on the ceasefire

During negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed to formally present their visions for a ceasefire in writing.

Following a conversation with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia was preparing a memorandum containing proposals for a future peace agreement, including possible timelines for ending the war.

By May 24, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the document was practically ready and would include Moscow’s key positions on ceasing hostilities. However, Ukraine has yet to receive it.

The Office of the President of Ukraine believes Russia might include unacceptable conditions in the memorandum, such as a complete loss of sovereignty for Ukraine.

Additionally, Reuters has learned that Putin may include certain demands in the list aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.