United Nations: The United States urged Russia on Thursday to accept a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at halting all land, air, sea, and critical infrastructure attacks in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This appeal was made during a United Nations Security Council meeting amid stalled peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
During the meeting, Acting Deputy U.S. Ambassador John Kelley emphasized that the ceasefire proposal represents "Russia's best possible outcome" and called on President Vladimir Putin to embrace the deal. The offer has been accepted by Ukraine but awaits Russia's consent.
Initial direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on May 16 failed to produce any agreement on a ceasefire, with Moscow asserting that a truce is unattainable until specific conditions are fulfilled. Kelley stated, "There is no military solution to this conflict," stressing the importance of diplomatic resolution.
Following recent communications between Presidents Trump and Putin, Russia was expected to submit a term sheet outlining its ceasefire conditions. Kelley underscored that the U.S. will evaluate Russia’s commitment not only based on the document but also on concrete actions that demonstrate a genuine desire for peace, which recent Russian attacks have contradicted.
Russian officials indicated their intent to continue direct talks, proposing a second round in Istanbul. However, Ukraine’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn accused Moscow of lacking sincerity in seeking peace and called for intensified international sanctions against Russia. She reaffirmed Ukraine’s refusal to recognize Russian claims over occupied territories and rejected any interference in its sovereign decisions.
Amidst warnings from the U.S. that continued Russian aggression could prompt Washington to withdraw from peace efforts and consider additional sanctions, international observers await further developments in this high-stakes diplomatic engagement aimed at ending the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
