France Urges Ceasefire as Basis for Peace Talks — Barrot in Kyiv

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, during a joint briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrij Sybiha in Kyiv, emphasized that peace talks should be based on a ceasefire, not on the subjugation of one side to the other.

The Gaze writes on this referring to Ukrinform.

Barrot recalled that Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a 30-day ceasefire five months ago in response to a U.S. proposal, while Russia has not yet given a similar response. The French minister also emphasized the “maximalist statements and positions” that Moscow constantly adheres to.

"But negotiations must take into account the positions and interests of both sides. Negotiations are not about subjugating one side to the other," Barrot said.

He also pointed out the need to reach a ceasefire in order to conduct negotiations under calm circumstances: “Negotiations cannot take place under bombs”.

In this context, he recalled the 2022 negotiations that were formally ongoing but were interrupted due to the atrocities in Bucha and Izyum, which showed the insincerity of the Russian president's intentions.

It is reported that after the adoption of the 18th package of EU sanctions, the French Foreign Minister instructed his team to work on new restrictions to increase pressure on Russia and encourage it to negotiate.

The Gaze earlier reported on the two-day visit of French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot to Ukraine, during which he reaffirmed France’s unwavering support in the face of Russian aggression.