Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says a month has passed since Russia refused to accept the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US, UkrInform reports.
Sybiha says that, in response, Russia has set conditions and demands while continuing to escalate terror.
“Exactly a month ago, on 11 March in Jeddah, Ukraine agreed to such a proposal. Unconditionally. Russia refused to agree and instead set conditions and demands. Meanwhile, Russia continued to escalate terror against the civilian population,” Sybiha emphasizes.
The Ukrainian foreign minister noted that from 11 March to 11 April, Russia launched almost 70 missiles of various types at Ukraine, more than 2,200 Shahed drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs.
“These were Russia’s responses to peace proposals. This is typical for Russia: lies, manipulation, and the continuation of terror,” Sybiha states.
He claims that, over the past month, there could have been ceasefire measures and confidence-building steps to advance the just peace desired by the US, Europe, and other partners.
Russia is the only obstacle to peace and the sole source of the war, so partners should not wait another month to increase pressure on Moscow, he believes.
“Russia must feel real power to seriously consider peace,” he warns.
On 6 April, President Zelenskyy stated that Russia refuses an unconditional ceasefire in order to retain the ability to strike Ukraine from the sea.