(Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called EU leaders to support the idea of a truce between the Russian and Ukrainian forces in the air and at sea on Thursday, saying that it would be a chance to test Moscow’s desire to end his three -year invasion.
“Everyone must ensure that Russia, as the only source of this war, accepts the need to end it,” said Zelenskiy, addressing a summit in Brussels where European leaders gathered to discuss defense expenses and support for Ukraine after the United States has taken a military break in Kyiv.
“This can be proven by two forms of silence which are easy to establish and monitor, namely no attack on energy and other civil infrastructure – the truce for missiles, bombs and long -range drones, and the second is a truce on the water, which means no military operation in the Black Sea,” added Zelenskiy.
He stressed that such a truce could only be considered a first step towards a complete agreement on the end of the war and the supply of security guarantees to Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian chief, the release of all prisoners of war could also be a means of establishing “basic confidence”.
Zelenskiy once again highlighted the need to adhere to the principle without talks on Ukraine without Ukraine after US President Donald Trump is committed to bilateral interviews with Russia, the kyiv touch and European leaders.
“All that affects the security of Europe should be resolved with the participation of Europe,” he added, welcoming a new rearmament plan to stimulate EU’s defense expenses.
The Summit in Brussels takes place after a disastrous confrontation of Zelenskiy-Trump in the oval office last week, and weeks of severe criticism from Zelenskiy of the Trump administration while the American president press the end of the Russian war in Ukraine.
“Let me emphasize again that Ukrainians really want peace, but not at the cost of abandoning Ukraine,” said Zelenskiy.
While Ukrainian and American officials agreed to hold a meeting next week, Zelenskiy expressed hope that it would be “significant”.
(Report by Yulia Dysa; edition by Toby Chopra and Nia Williams)
