Ukraine can achieve just and lasting peace under Trump, says foreign minister
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha attending the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India, on March 18.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW DELHI – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on March 18 that Kyiv was not the obstacle for a peace deal with Russia and believes it can achieve just and lasting peace under the leadership of US President Donald Trump.
Ukraine was waiting for clarity to emerge on the peace process after the conversation between Mr Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, expected later on March 18, Mr Sybiha said during an annual geopolitical conference in New Delhi.
Mr Trump has been trying to get Mr Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted last week but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also consistently said Ukraine’s sovereignty is not negotiable and that Russia must surrender the territory it has seized.
“We are not the obstacle to achieving peace... we really expect from (the) Russian side (an) unconditional yes for ceasefire,” Mr Sybiha said during a panel discussion.
Mr Trump said he would speak to Mr Putin on the morning of March 18 about ending the Ukraine war, with territorial concessions by Kyiv and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant likely to feature prominently in the talks.
Mr Trump, who as a US presidential candidate promised to end the war in a swift 24 hours, faces a tough negotiator in Mr Putin, who Mr Zelensky has argued does not abide by agreements.
Mr Sybiha accused Moscow of not wanting to end the war, adding that Ukraine will never recognise any of its territories occupied by Russian forces.
“Our approach: now is a time for diplomacy, for a strong diplomacy,” he said. “We also really believe that with (the) leadership of President Trump, we could achieve long-lasting, just peace.”
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been the target of large-scale attacks since Russia’s invasion in 2022, resulting in blackouts and freezing conditions for millions of people.
Ukraine has retaliated by launching long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, pumping stations, and ports used for oil and gas exports. REUTERS
