Andrii Sybiha made the comments ahead of a cease-fire phone call between the U.S. president and his Russian counterpart.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that his country can achieve a “long-lasting, just peace” under the leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump.
On March 18, during an annual geopolitical conference in India’s capital city of New Delhi, Sybiha said that Kyiv was not the obstacle to a peace deal with Russia.
“We are not the obstacle to achieving peace … we really expect from [the] Russian side [an] unconditional yes for [a] cease-fire,” he said.
“Our approach: Now is a time for diplomacy, for a strong diplomacy.
“We also really believe that with [the] leadership of President Trump, we could achieve long-lasting, just peace.”
Trump
Sybiha accused Moscow of not wanting to end the war. He said that Ukraine will never recognize any of its territories occupied by Russian forces.
Sybiha made the comments as Ukraine is waiting for clarity to emerge on the peace process after a phone conversation between Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, expected later on Tuesday.
Trump on March 17 said Russia would agree to a 30-day cease-fire in its war with Ukraine and that “many elements” have been agreed to.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently insisted that any peace deal must include security guarantees to ensure Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against potential future Russian attacks.
“Tomorrow morning I will be speaking to President Putin concerning the War in Ukraine. Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains,” Trump said via his Truth Social platform.
“Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin.”
Cease-Fire
Trump had earlier confirmed over the weekend that the leaders plan on discussing a cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia.
“A lot of work’s been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One on March 16.
Trump said on Sunday the talks would involve land and power plants, adding that they have already discussed dividing assets between the two countries.
By Owen Evans
