Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of trying to prolong the war. Speaking at a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" organized by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Zelensky said that Russia's rejection of the 30-day cease-fire proposal put forward by the United States does not appear to be in favor of peace.
"Russia's silence on the 30-day ceasefire shows that Putin is trying to prolong the war," Zelensky said. He said that peace should begin without any conditions. He says that if they are not ready for this, they should put a lot of pressure on Russia. "The world should understand that Russia is the only obstacle to peace," he said.
He said through social media that "Russia is doing everything to stop the ceasefire". This is Russia's war. To prevent this, active pressure is needed, not just negotiations. He says that security assurance of Ukraine is important to make peace sustainable and reliable. Zelensky called not only Europe and G-7, but all other countries around the world to unite for peace. The European leaders participating in the
meeting said that the Ukraine war should be ended through negotiations and for that, it is necessary to put more pressure on Putin. The leaders participating in the meeting also promised to help Ukraine more .
Prime Minister Starmer along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte and leaders of 26 countries are participating in the meeting. In the
meeting, British Prime Minister Starmer said that "there is no option for Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table sooner or later". "My experience is that sooner or later he's going to have to come to the negotiating table and engage in serious discussions," Starmer said. "I think that means strengthening Ukraine so they can defend themselves."
