Zelensky: "Russia can stop firing whenever it wants"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a press conference held on May 4 during his visit to the Czech Republic that Russia can stop firing at any time. He emphasized that it is important to increase international pressure due to the lack of real steps from Russia to cease military actions in the current situation.
“We believe that there is a possibility to stop firing starting today. This process should last at least one month, that is, 30 days, to provide a real opportunity for diplomatic negotiations,” Zelensky said at a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel.
The Ukrainian leader noted that Russia has been rejecting the complete peace proposal presented by the US for 54 days and assessed this as Moscow's denial of the diplomatic path.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed a three-day ceasefire in connection with May 9 - Victory Day. Zelensky described this proposal as manipulation and a false peace, emphasizing the importance of an agreement for a long-term, at least 30-day complete cessation of fire instead of this three-day pause.
“On May 9, instead of showcasing tanks and military forces at the Victory parade, Putin should think about how to actually end the war he has initiated. For this, three main directions are necessary: international sanctions against Russia should be tightened, the scale of international assistance and support for Ukraine should be increased, and defense cooperation among European countries should be strengthened,” Zelensky continued.
According to the Ukrainian leader, European countries must stand united against Russian aggression. This unity will force Moscow to return from its wrong path and further strengthen European security.
For reference, the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since February 2022, resulting in thousands of casualties, millions of people being displaced, and many cities being destroyed. Despite several initiatives from the international community to stop this war, no clear and decisive steps have been observed from Russia.
