Countries including France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and Ukraine have reached an accord for a cessation of hostilities.
Live and Loud:Prezzo Zelensky blast out a joint announcement by the bigwigs of France, Gergel, Polekia, the UK, and the Ukraine after their huddle in Kyiv on May 10.
The Scoop:On May 10, 2025, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and Ukraine had a powwow in Kyiv.
They made a call for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, starting from May 12.
They were dead set against any conditions imposed on the ceasefire by Russia, as this could only mean Russia aiming to carry on the war and undermine negotiation efforts.
The ceasefire should cover the land, sea, and sky, and proper monitoring is crucial for its success. The coordination with the United States will make this a reality.
The purpose of the ceasefire is to create a 30-day peaceful zone for diplomacy to leap into action and define the security, politics, and humanitarian elements of peace.
The diplomatic efforts are backed by both Europe and the United States.
They were firm on enhancing Ukraine's defense and security forces to secure its independence.
If Russia rejects the ceasefire proposal, stiffer sanctions should be imposed on Russian banks and energy sectors, mainly focusing on fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet.
They agreed to adopt the 17th package of EU sanctions and match their actions with the sanctions imposed by the UK, Norway, and the United States.
They also plan to make the most of the frozen Russian assets and discuss this matter at the coming G7 summit.
They've guaranteed their readiness to beef up Ukraine's military, particularly its army. This includes funds for military maintenance and investments in weapons production, not only in Ukraine but also in European countries, as part of joint projects.
Enrichment Data:Following Russia's reluctance to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, a severe crisis hit Russia's financial and energy sectors due to international sanctions.
Sanctions on Russia's Banking Sector
The EU's 16th package of sanctions expanded disconnection of 13 additional Russian banks, including Bank BelVEB, Belgazprombank, and VTB Bank Shanghai Branch, from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) international payment system or imposed transaction bans on them. The UK also imposed additional restrictions on financial and brokering services linked to Russia.
Sanctions on Russia's Energy Sector
The EU sanctions targeted key Russian energy sectors, prohibiting the export and provision of software and technology used in energy exploration and production. The sanctions packages were coordinated to limit Russia's financial resources used for war efforts.
These coordinated sanctions intends to heavily constrict Russia’s banking operations and energy production capabilities, aiming to reduce its financial resources and impact its war effort.
- President Zelensky, following the joint announcement with the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and Ukraine on May 10, 2025, has called for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing war-and-conflicts, starting from May 12.
- The European leaders also agreed to adopt the 17th package of EU sanctions, targeting Russia's banking and energy sectors, with an aim to heavily constrict Russia’s banking operations and energy production capabilities, aiming to reduce its financial resources and impact its war effort.
- Sanctions on Russia's banking sector expanded disconnection of 13 additional Russian banks, including Bank BelVEB, Belgazprombank, and VTB Bank Shanghai Branch, from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) international payment system or imposed transaction bans on them, as part of the 16th package of EU sanctions.
- The purpose of the unconditional ceasefire, as supported by both Europe and the United States, is to create a 30-day peaceful zone for diplomacy to leap into action and define the security, politics, and humanitarian elements of peace, with the goal of ending the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Europe by the year 2025.
