Ukraine’s Zelensky says truce in air and at sea could test Russia’s will to end war
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre), with European Council president Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, at an EU summit to discuss the defence of Ukraine and Europe, in Brussels, on March 6.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KYIV - President Volodymyr Zelensky called on EU leaders on March 6 to support the idea of a truce between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the air and at sea, saying it would be a chance to test Moscow's will to end its three-year invasion.
"Everyone needs to make sure that Russia, as the sole source of this war, accepts the need to end it," Mr Zelensky said, addressing a summit in Brussels where European leaders have gathered to discuss defence spending and support for Ukraine after the US paused military aid
"This can be proved by two forms of silence that are easy to establish and monitor, namely, no attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure – truce for missiles, bombs, and long-range drones, and the second is truce on the water, meaning no military operations in the Black Sea," Mr Zelensky added.
He underlined that any such truce could only be seen as a first step towards a comprehensive agreement on ending the war and providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian leader, the release of all prisoners of war could also be a means of establishing "basic trust".
Mr Zelensky once again stressed the need to adhere to the principle of no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine after US President Donald Trump engaged in bilateral talks with Russia, sidelining Kyiv and European leaders.
"Anything that affects the security of Europe should be resolved with the participation of Europe," he added, welcoming a new rearmament plan to boost the EU's defence spending.
The summit in Brussels takes place after a disastrous Zelensky-Trump clash
"Let me emphasise once again that Ukrainians do really want peace, but not at the cost of giving up Ukraine," Mr Zelensky said.
As Ukrainian and American officials agreed to hold a meeting next week, Mr Zelensky expressed hope that it would be "meaningful". REUTERS
