Before I assess how I view Ukraine's
readiness for a ceasefire, I would first like to begin by
thanking the President of the United States, Mr. Trump,
for paying so much attention to resolving the conflict in
Ukraine.
We all have enough issues to deal with.
But many heads of state, the president of the
People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of
India, the presidents of Brazil and
South African Republic are spending a lot of time
dealing with this issue.
We are thankful to all of them, because this
is aimed at achieving a noble mission, a mission to stop
hostilities and the loss of human lives.
Secondly, we agree with the proposals to stop hostilities. But
our position is that this ceasefire should lead to a long-term
peace and eliminate the initial causes of this crisis.
Now, about Ukraine's readiness to cease hostilities.
On the surface it may look like a decision
made by Ukraine under US pressure. In reality, I am absolutely
convinced that the Ukrainian side should have insisted on this
(ceasefire) from the Americans based on how the situation (on
the front line) is unfolding, the realities on the ground.
And how is it unfolding?
I'm sure many of you know that yesterday I
was in Kursk Region and listened to the reports of the head of
the General Staff, the commander of the group of forces 'North'
and his deputy about the situation at the border, specifically
in the incursion area of Kursk Region.
What is going on there?
The situation there is completely under our
control, and the group of forces that invaded our territory is
completely isolated and under our complete fire control.
Command over Ukrainian troops in this zone is lost.
And if in the first stages, literally a week
or two ago, Ukrainian servicemen tried to get out of there in
large groups, now it is impossible. They are trying to get out
of there in very small groups, two or three people, because
everything is under our full fire control.
The equipment is completely abandoned. It is
impossible to evacuate it. It will remain there. This is already
guaranteed.
And if in the coming days there will be a physical blockade,
then no one will be able to leave at all.
There will be only two ways.
To surrender or die...
And in these conditions, I think it would be
very good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a truce for at least
30 days. And we are for it.
But there are nuances.
What are they?
First, what are we going to do with this
incursion force in Kursk Region?
If we stop fighting for 30 days, what does it mean?
That everyone who is there will leave
without a fight?
We should let them go after they
committed mass crimes against civilians?
Or will the Ukrainian leadership order
them to lay down their arms? Simply surrender.
How will this work? It is not clear.
How will other issues be resolved on all the lines of
contact? This is almost 2,000 kilometers.
As you know, Russian troops are advancing
almost along the entire front. And there are ongoing military
operations to surround rather large groups of enemy forces.
These '30 days',
How will they be used?
To continue forced mobilization in
Ukraine?
To receive more arms supplies?
To train newly mobilized units?
Or will none of this happen?
How will the issues of control and verification be resolved?
How can we be guaranteed that nothing
like this will happen?
How will the control be organized?
I hope that everyone understands this at the
level of common sense.
These are all serious issues.
Who will give orders to stop hostilities?
And what is the price of these orders?
Can you imagine? Almost 2,000 kilometers.
Who will determine where and who broke
the potential ceasefire?
Who will be blamed?
These are all questions that demand a
thorough examination from both sides.
Therefore, the idea itself is the right one, and we certainly
support it. But there are questions that we have to discuss. I
think we need to work with our American partners.
Maybe I will speak to President Trump.
But we support the idea of ending this
conflict with peaceful means.
