Four European Giants Threaten Tougher Action against Putin if Ukraine Ceasefire Not Accepted
International coalition urges Putin to agree to a 30-day truce or risk facing increased economic penalties
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - The leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland have given a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: Accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, or face increased pressure. Speaking in Kyiv, they announced their proposal for a truce, supported by US President Donald Trump, with a strong warning of new sanctions if Putin fails to comply.
On Saturday, the European leaders stated that their proposal for the ceasefire to begin on Monday was backed by Trump after they briefed him over the phone earlier in the day. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would consider the proposal. Meanwhile, Putin held a series of bilateral talks with foreign officials, seemingly trying to highlight the West's inability to isolate Russia on the global stage.
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The proposed 30-day ceasefire would replace Russia's own unilateral three-day pause, declared for the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat. However, Ukraine claims that Russian forces have repeatedly violated the current truce. In March, the United States proposed an immediate, limited 30-day truce that Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has been reluctant to accept terms without its preferences.
The leaders vowed that the US would lead the monitoring process for the proposed ceasefire, with additional support from European countries, and hinted at "massive sanctions" should Russia breach the truce. French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the details of this monitoring mechanism, stating that the intricacies were still under discussion[1][2].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy referred to the meeting between the European leaders and himself as "a very important signal." Meanwhile,euorgion Energy and Banking sectors, if Putin refuses to commit to the ceasefire.
In response to skepticism over the effectiveness of sanctions, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk affirmed that "almost all members of the European Union and a large coalition of the willing around the world are determined to enforce these sanctions if our initiative fails[2]."
Furthermore, the leaders also discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to strengthen Kyiv's military capabilities. They also considered deploying a foreign force as a deterrent against future attacks and investing in Ukraine’s defense sector[3].
Despite Moscow’s recent efforts to appear united on the global stage, its actions in Ukraine have met with increasing criticism and calls for action from the international community. As Ukraine grapples with the ongoing conflict, hope for a long-lasting solution remains elusive.
Sources
- Associated Press: "Ukraine, allies urge Putin to commit to a 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions." 2022-05-07. Accessed 10-Jun-2023. URL: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-france-nato-europe-politics-1e34fd6a3681279b781e6d3c28eb0613
- Reuters: "Factbox: France, Germany and Poland visit Ukraine as European support for Kyiv grows." 2022-05-07. Accessed 10-Jun-2023. URL: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-germany-and-poland-visit-ukraine-european-support-kyiv-grows-2022-05-07/
- Kyiv Post: "European leaders provide security guarantees but no clear path to NATO." 2022-05-07. Accessed 10-Jun-2023. URL: https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/european-leaders-provide-security-guarantees-but-no-clear-path-to-nato.html
- In a bid to de-escalate the war in Ukraine, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland have proposed a 30-day ceasefire, a plan backed by US President Donald Trump.
- The European leaders' ceasefire proposal, if accepted by Vladimir Putin, may prompt increased pressure on Russia, including possible business sanctions and strong reassurances from the political sector.
- The European Union and its allies have vowed to enforce "massive sanctions" if the proposed ceasefire is breached by Russia, with the US set to lead the monitoring process.
- With the aim of bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities, the European leaders discussed providing security guarantees and investing in Ukraine's defense sector during their visit to Kyiv.
- The international community, concerned about Russia's actions in Ukraine, continues to scrutinize Moscow's role in the ongoing conflict, with hopes for a long-lasting resolution remaining elusive in war-and-conflicts and general-news sectors.
