Ceasefire talks: Zelenskyy names Ukraine’s conditions

Ukraine is ready for any agreement on a ceasefire that would serve as the first step toward a reliable and lasting peace.

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his traditional video address on April 21.

The President confirmed that meetings were being prepared for Wednesday, April 23, with partners from Europe — the UK, France, Germany — and from the United States, which may bring a ceasefire and peace closer.

“Now, after Easter, the entire world sees the real issue — the true reason why the hostilities continue. It is Russia that is the source of the war. A real order to cease fire must come from Moscow to the Russian army, and if there is no such strict Russian order for silence — there will be no silence,” he stated.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that indeed, there were no air raid sirens on Easter and there were some quiet sectors along the front line. This becomes possible when Russia reduces the killings. However, even this Easter there were Russian assault actions, strikes, shelling, and casualties, including among civilians.

According to the President, today there were even more Russian strikes. By midday, around 1 p.m., there had already been nearly 3,000 strikes, assaults, and other attacks. Russian missiles, Shahed drones, nearly 90 aerial bombs, heavy weaponry, and drones were used. Russian attacks continue across the entire front line.

“In the evening, I expect a new report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. This means Russia has rejected not only the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, which was made over a month ago during the talks in Jeddah, but also yesterday’s proposal — the proposal to continue doing everything for silence after Easter. All of this once again demonstrates what Moscow really wants,” the Head of State noted.

He stresses that Ukraine maintains its proposal to refrain from strikes on at least civilian infrastructure.

“And we expect a clear response from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this. There is an obvious, simplest, and most reliable way: to stop missile and long-range drone strikes, and this would automatically guarantee the preservation of all civilian infrastructure,” the President said.

In his view, a ceasefire should be the first step toward a reliable and lasting peace. The main task of Ukraine’s representatives at the meetings in London this week will be to achieve an unconditional ceasefire.

“Peace comes in silence. And only when there is real silence, and when people trust the entire negotiation process, can fundamental issues be resolved,” Zelenskyy concluded.