It would be commendable if the upcoming peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for tomorrow, lead to a meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin and provide an opportunity to achieve a truce. This was stated today by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
“It is good that the discussions are continuing, but they will only be meaningful if they lead to a meeting between the heads of state, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, a meeting that can lead to a ceasefire“, Barrot stressed in an interview with France Inter radio during a visit to eastern Ukraine.
Yesterday, the Ukrainian president announced that a new round of talks between Kiev and Moscow had been scheduled for tomorrow. The two meetings in Istanbul so far have not led to any significant progress on ending the war, while Russia has continued its massive bombing of the Ukrainian rear and its advance on the front.
“Five months have passed since Ukraine agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a basis for starting negotiations. Negotiations are not conducted under falling bombs. "We have been waiting for Vladimir Putin to accept this principle ever since," Barrot said.
The French foreign minister expressed hope that the sanctions already imposed, as well as the upcoming measures by the US and the EU, would put pressure on Moscow. According to him, this should force the Russian president to change his position and agree to a ceasefire.
Last week, the European Union adopted the 18th package of sanctions aimed at limiting Russia's financing of the war through oil revenues. Meanwhile, on July 14, US President Donald Trump gave Russia a 50-day deadline to stop military operations, otherwise new sanctions from Washington would follow.
“If Vladimir Putin does not change his course, France is ready to go even further“, Barrot assured. “I have already ordered my team to prepare a new, even stricter package of sanctions“, he added.