President Trump said the US would impose sanctions on Russia if it did not accept an extended cease-fire in its war with Ukraine, writing on social media after a phone call late Thursday with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The remark was another swivel by the administration closer to Ukraine's positions in cease-fire talks, after two months of concessions to Russia, including broadening diplomatic relations and voting against a UN resolution condemning Moscow for the war.
During talks in March, Trump govt had proposed a 30-day truce to allow for peace negotiations. Ukraine accepted the idea but Russia has pushed instead for negotiating terms for a settlement before accepting a cease-fire. After a meeting with Zelenskyy last month, Trump threatened Russia with sanctions if it drew out of the negotiations. But his latest post was his clearest statement yet that he was linking additional US sanctions to its acceptance of a 30-day truce for talks. "If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions." The US, Trump wrote, "calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.". Zelenskyy's office said the two leaders congratulated one another on the anniversary of end of WWII in Europe.
Zelenskyy quickly welcomed Trump's endorsement of a ceasefire. "Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire starting right now, from this very moment". Ukraine had rejected a Russian offer of a three-day truce around Victory Day holiday and parade in Moscow Friday, which was attended by two dozen world leaders, including China's Xi Jinping. He said the proposal allowed too little time to negotiate an agreement and it was offered only to put guests of the Moscow parade at ease.
In the days before the parade, Russia and Ukraine launched volleys of drones toward the countries' capitals, disrupting flights near Moscow and killing two people and starting fires in Kyiv. The attacks halted after the start of Russia's proposed truce but fighting along the front line carried on. In a move sure to enrage Ukraine, Russia unveiled a bust of Stalin, adorned with red carnations, as part of Victory Day celebrations in occupied Ukraine city of Mariupol. Stalin is a reviled figure in Ukraine for 1930s famine that killed millions.
The remark was another swivel by the administration closer to Ukraine's positions in cease-fire talks, after two months of concessions to Russia, including broadening diplomatic relations and voting against a UN resolution condemning Moscow for the war.
During talks in March, Trump govt had proposed a 30-day truce to allow for peace negotiations. Ukraine accepted the idea but Russia has pushed instead for negotiating terms for a settlement before accepting a cease-fire. After a meeting with Zelenskyy last month, Trump threatened Russia with sanctions if it drew out of the negotiations. But his latest post was his clearest statement yet that he was linking additional US sanctions to its acceptance of a 30-day truce for talks. "If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions." The US, Trump wrote, "calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.". Zelenskyy's office said the two leaders congratulated one another on the anniversary of end of WWII in Europe.
Zelenskyy quickly welcomed Trump's endorsement of a ceasefire. "Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire starting right now, from this very moment". Ukraine had rejected a Russian offer of a three-day truce around Victory Day holiday and parade in Moscow Friday, which was attended by two dozen world leaders, including China's Xi Jinping. He said the proposal allowed too little time to negotiate an agreement and it was offered only to put guests of the Moscow parade at ease.
In the days before the parade, Russia and Ukraine launched volleys of drones toward the countries' capitals, disrupting flights near Moscow and killing two people and starting fires in Kyiv. The attacks halted after the start of Russia's proposed truce but fighting along the front line carried on. In a move sure to enrage Ukraine, Russia unveiled a bust of Stalin, adorned with red carnations, as part of Victory Day celebrations in occupied Ukraine city of Mariupol. Stalin is a reviled figure in Ukraine for 1930s famine that killed millions.
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