Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has unequivocally stated that a ceasefire without solid security guarantees would fail to bring a lasting end to Russia's invasion. Speaking to British media following discussions with European allies in London, Zelenskyy dismissed the notion that a ceasefire alone is sufficient, describing it as \"not enough.\"
French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a one-month truce in Ukraine that would cover air, sea, and energy infrastructure, though it initially excludes ground fighting. Zelenskyy cautioned that without comprehensive security assurances, such a ceasefire would lead to failure for all parties involved, predicting that Russia would likely breach the agreement, prompting Ukraine to retaliate.
Despite these concerns, Zelenskyy described the recent talks as a \"very powerful start,\" emphasizing that ongoing negotiations are essential to develop a more actionable plan and a clearer understanding of Ukraine's security needs. UK Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, remained non-committal, stating, \"That's not a plan that we currently recognize,\" and noted that various options are being discussed privately among the UK, France, and other allies.
In related developments, UK leader Keir Starmer announced that European leaders have agreed to draft a Ukraine peace plan to present to the United States, though details remain under wraps. Meanwhile, tensions escalated during a high-profile meeting at the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for rejecting their proposed truce terms. This confrontation concluded without the signing of a preliminary pact on sharing Ukrainian mineral rights.
Amidst these challenges, some senior U.S. Republicans have called for Zelenskyy's resignation. In response, Zelenskyy acknowledged the difficulty of replacing him but reiterated his willingness to step down in exchange for NATO membership for Ukraine. He remarked, \"If they replace me, given what is going on, given the support, simply replacing me will not be simple.\"
Adding to the complexity, Russia has questioned Zelenskyy's legitimacy, arguing that he should hold a 2024 election, a process impeded by Ukraine's martial law, which prohibits elections during wartime.
Looking ahead, European Union leaders are set to convene for an extraordinary summit on March 6 to discuss additional support for Ukraine, establish European security guarantees, and address the financing of Europe's defense needs.
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Zelenskyy says ceasefire without guarantees 'will be a failure'
cgtn.com
