US asks Russia for 30-day comprehensive ceasefire

Washington [US], May 30: The United States has urged Russia to accept a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine proposed by Washington, calling it the best possible outcome for Moscow.
The US proposal for a ceasefire and its call were made at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on May 29, according to Reuters. Speaking at the meeting, acting US Deputy Ambassador John Kelley said the US wants Russia and Ukraine to agree to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire on land, air, sea and critical infrastructure.
"We want to work with Russia, including on this peace initiative and an economic package. There is no military solution to this conflict. The agreement that is being proposed is Russia's best possible outcome. President (Vladimir) Putin should accept the agreement," Mr. Kelley said.
Previously, Russian and Ukrainian delegations had their first direct dialogue in more than 3 years on May 16 in Turkey but did not reach a ceasefire agreement .
Mr. Kelly said the first step for the US was to propose a comprehensive, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, which has been accepted by Ukraine and is only waiting for Russia.
If Russia makes the wrong decision by continuing the conflict, the US will have to consider withdrawing from the negotiation effort and could impose additional sanctions on Russia, Mr. Kelly warned.
Russia is preparing to present a document outlining its vision for a ceasefire following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, the diplomat said .
"We will judge Russia's seriousness about ending the war not just by the content of that clause, but more importantly by Russia's actions," Kelley said, denouncing Moscow's recent attacks on Ukraine as showing no desire for peace.
Also at the meeting, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow wants to continue direct and serious negotiations with Ukraine, suggesting that the second round of negotiations should take place on June 2 in Istanbul (Türkiye). "The ball is in Ukraine's court. Either dialogue with peace following, or the inevitable defeat of Ukraine on the battlefield with other conditions for ending the conflict," Mr. Nebenzia said.
Ukraine's Deputy Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said Russia had not sent any signals about its real intentions to end the conflict, and called on countries to increase sanctions against Moscow.
President Trump said on May 28 that it would take about two weeks to know whether the Russian leader was stalling or genuinely interested in peace. He said he would not impose sanctions on Russia at this time as Moscow and Kyiv prepare for talks in Istanbul next week.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper