Ukraine’s allies issue Putin an ultimatum

Kyiv, its European allies, and Washington have issued an ultimatum to the Kremlin leader: a "complete and unconditional" 30-day ceasefire starting this week. 

On 10 May, Ukraine's allies went to Kyiv to propose to Moscow the establishment of a ceasefire. "Ukraine and its allies are prepared for a complete and unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting from Monday," wrote Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriï Sybiga on X. According to him, such a truce "may pave the way for peace negotiations".

Present in the Ukrainian capital this weekend, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised an "absolute unity" between the Europeans, the United States, and Ukraine on this proposal. "The position we have reached today is one of absolute unity among a whole host of countries around the world, including the United States, on the necessity of an unconditional 30-day ceasefire," he stated at a press conference alongside Volodymyr Zelensky and several other European leaders.

Beware of the wave of sanctions

The enforcement of this truce will be monitored by Washington, with Europe contributing, according to statements by French President Emmanuel Macron. Member countries of the coalition of volunteers have "decided to support a ceasefire" of 30 days "with monitoring primarily conducted by the United States of America" and to which "all Europeans will contribute", he declared. And if this ceasefire is “violated” by Moscow, Paris threatens Russia with "massive" and "coordinated" sanctions by Europe and the United States, reports the media L’Indépendant. 

On its side, the Kremlin denounces the "confrontational" behaviour of the Europeans towards the Russians, without providing a concrete response to the ultimatum issued by Ukraine's allies. 

(MH with Manon Pierre - Source: L’Indépendant - Illustration: ©Unsplash)