The US is trying to broker a temporary ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia in exchange for easing sanctions on Moscow, seeking to revive stalled talks amid Washington's search for a breakthrough in foreign policy, Kyiv Independent reports.
The article notes that these efforts are already causing concern in Kiev. Sources familiar with the talks stress that the agreement lacks one element that Kiev considers crucial: security guarantees that would prevent Russia from resuming the war.
“They want Ukraine to agree to as much as possible or at least not to hinder it“, a source familiar with the matter told the publication.
The media reported that the new impetus came after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly initiated a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to 11 in Russia's war against Ukraine. The move was widely seen as an attempt to ensure that Moscow could hold the Victory Day parade.
“It would be good if the ceasefire lasted more than three days“, – Trump later told reporters.
The publication noted that these words of the American president raised the question of what Russian President Vladimir Putin could ask for in exchange for a longer ceasefire.
The article recalls that despite numerous rounds of US-brokered negotiations involving Ukraine and Russia, diplomatic efforts have not yet led to a significant breakthrough.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, three main contentious issues continue to block any agreement, and Russia's territorial claims remain the main problem.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who visited Kiev yesterday, believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin often resorts to deception and maneuvers dictated by internal difficulties. Pistorius noted that Putin could easily achieve peace. To do this, he must stop the killings, establish a lasting ceasefire, and agree to peace talks without conditions unacceptable to Ukraine.