EU Insists on Full Russian Ceasefire Before Peace Talks
The European Union continues to insist that any peace talks should begin only after an unconditional ceasefire by Russia, European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said at a briefing in Brussels on 12 May.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to European Pravda.
Russia must start a ceasefire before peace talks can begin, the European Commission spokeswoman said.
"Our position is clear: we support the proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, starting today. President Zelenskyy has also accepted this proposal without any preconditions, confirming that Ukraine is once again ready to agree to a ceasefire. So now Russia must respond in the same clear way, and a ceasefire is urgently needed for peace talks," said Gipper.
She added that "in order to start any peace talks, we must have a clear, unconditional ceasefire".
The European Commission spokesperson stressed that the EU must "keep up the pressure on Russia" because, as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said, "they are playing games and you cannot trust Putin."
The German government has stated that if a ceasefire is not established in Ukraine by the end of Monday, Berlin, together with its European partners, will begin the process of preparing new sanctions against Russia.
On Saturday, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Poland called on Russia to call for a 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin did not respond to the proposal for a 30-day pause in the fighting, but said he was ready for "direct talks" with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday, 15 May.
Read more: Unpacking Macron's Proposal of a Month-Long Truce in Ukraine