Zelensky says Russia is trying to "drag out" peace talks as US backs G7 statement supporting Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Russia is setting out conditions to “complicate and drag out the process” of peace negotiations.
“The exchange of prisoners and an unconditional 30-day full interim ceasefire are the first quick steps that could significantly bring us closer to a just and lasting peace. Ukraine is ready to take these steps because the Ukrainian people want peace more than anyone,” Zelensky said in a social media post detailing a diplomatic call with Vatican leadership on Friday.
“Meanwhile, the world sees how Russia is deliberately setting conditions that only complicate and drag out the process, as Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down,” the Ukrainian president said.
His comments come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the US-brokered ceasefire proposal as US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow.
US supports foreign ministers’ statement: Meanwhile, the United States backed a G7 foreign ministers’ statement on Friday supporting Ukraine’s “territorial integrity and right to exist” amid negotiations to try to end the war with Russia following Moscow’s full-scale 2022 invasion.
In the lead-up to Friday’s joint statement, there was uncertainty about whether the US would be willing to support strong language on the war.
“We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence,” the ministers said in the statement.
The statement also commends “Ukraine’s commitment to an immediate ceasefire” and calls on Russia “to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully.”
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