Ukraine Holds High-Level Talks with Western Allies on 30-Day Ceasefire Proposal
Ukraine has conducted a series of high-level online consultations with key partners from the United States, the European Union, Nordic, and Baltic states to discuss the implementation of a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak announced on May 8, The Gaze reports.
“The main topic was the implementation of the initiative on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, supported by Ukraine during the March meeting in Jeddah, following a U.S. proposal,” Yermak stated.
The talks involved U.S. Special Representatives Steven Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, French Presidential Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne, British Prime Minister’s Advisor Jonathan Powell, and German Chancellor’s Advisor Gunter Sautter.
From the Ukrainian side, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ihor Zhovkva, Daria Zarivna, and Oleksandr Bevz also took part.
Yermak underscored Ukraine’s position: “A full and unconditional ceasefire must become the first step toward a just and lasting peace.”
In contrast, Yermak sharply criticized the Kremlin’s recent offer of a three-day truce tied to Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations:
“The Kremlin’s proposal for a three-day truce is not about peace, but about safely holding a parade in Moscow. This is a political manipulation.”
The participants also discussed pressure mechanisms should Russia reject the initiative or violate the agreements:
“A thirty-day ceasefire is a test of sincerity. If Moscow truly wants peace – it’s time to act. If it chooses escalation – the response must be joint and decisive.”
Yermak additionally confirmed Ukraine’s support for new U.S. legislation:
“We support the bill initiated by Senator Lindsey Graham on secondary sanctions against Russia. This is an important signal of unity and readiness to defend the international order.”
As The Gaze previously reported, the European Union has dismissed Russia’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to May 10 as insufficient and symbolic, urging Moscow to end its war against Ukraine without delay,
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