Zelenskyy calls for ceasefire at current positions followed by peace talks
Ukraine's president said halting fighting along the current line of contact would offer the fastest route toward ending the war while diplomacy continues.
By Larissa Bell ·
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the fastest way to end Russia's war against Ukraine would be to stop fighting along the existing line of contact and then begin negotiations. In an interview with DR Nyheder, he advocated a ceasefire that would leave the sides at their current positions as they move to diplomatic discussions.
Zelenskyy said the duration of those discussions would be uncertain. Negotiations could take a month, two months, a year or longer than anticipated. His argument was that stopping active hostilities should come before completing that process, allowing the fighting to end while the parties continue working through the issues at the negotiating table.
The immediate benefit, he said, would be an end to the war's hot phase and the deaths it causes. He also said a ceasefire would make it possible to reduce the pace of mobilisation and revive the economy during negotiations. Those changes could take place while diplomatic efforts were still under way, rather than waiting for the talks to conclude.
At the same time, Zelenskyy acknowledged that arranging a ceasefire would involve answering numerous questions. He identified the parties' positions, the mandate for a monitoring mission and demilitarisation among the matters requiring attention. European participation and the financing of reconstruction would also need to be addressed.
Zelenskyy contrasted his proposed sequence with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's demand for a comprehensive agreement before hostilities stop. He said insisting on settling a lengthy plan first, including difficult and sensitive issues, would demonstrate that Putin was unwilling to bring the fighting to an end.
Describing a scenario in which Putin rejected a ceasefire and required a detailed plan to be signed before stopping the war, Zelenskyy said: "it simply means he doesn't want to stop the war." His criticism focused on making the cessation of hostilities conditional on reaching that broader agreement.
The remarks came as negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia on ending hostilities began in Abu Dhabi on November 10. Before those discussions, Ukraine's delegation met separately with European partners and representatives of the United States.
The talks are scheduled for November 10 and 11. The Ukrainian side had previously said it did not anticipate a breakthrough at the first meeting, while expressing hope that the second round could produce one.
