Zelenskyy: Putin may offer ceasefire in exchange for lifting some sanctions
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the ceasefire issue to push for the lifting of some sanctions. At the same time, Kyiv has received no signals from either Russia or the United States regarding negotiations, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Bloomberg.
"I think Russia can raise the issue of a ceasefire in exchange for lifting sanctions on certain enterprises. I know that they are raising the issue of lifting the SWIFT sanction so that their banks can work. For Ukraine, all this is a big risk," Zelenskyy said.
The head of state urged the United States and Europe to maintain sanctions against Russia and not give in to Moscow’s attempts to ease them.
Everything depends on the situation in the Middle East.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is waiting for the resumption of peace talks that could bring an end to the war with Russia. He noted that the main obstacle is the diversion of attention caused by the conflict in Iran.
The President said that Ukraine has not yet received any new signals from either Russia or the United States regarding when negotiations might resume, while US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are still considering a visit to Kyiv.
He noted that no new information has emerged about when and where talks organized by the Trump administration could take place.
"I think it all depends on how the situation in the Middle East unfolds," Zelenskyy said.
Bloomberg reports that Kyiv and Moscow continue to exchange prisoners, while Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Presidential Office, said he sees progress in the negotiations. He also noted that he does not expect the war to last much longer, although the overall situation has not improved.
Ceasefire for May 9
The issue of a possible ceasefire by May 9 has recently become one of the main topics in the information space.
In particular, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation explained that Putin is proposing a ceasefire because he cannot guarantee security even in Moscow. It noted that the Russian initiative has nothing to do with genuine intentions to achieve peace.
The Kremlin has issued a new statement on a May 9 ceasefire, saying that the final decision must be made personally by the Russian President. At the same time, there are still no clear dates or conditions.
Ukraine plans to clarify with Trump’s team the details of Russia’s ceasefire proposal for May 9. Zelenskyy stressed that Kyiv is ready for peace, but not for illusions or tactical manipulation by the enemy.
