Andriy Ermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in a recent interview with the German publication Die Zeit, emphasized his readiness for peaceful negotiations with Russia, but under the condition of a complete and unconditional ceasefire
In the view of the Ukrainian leadership, this is a prerequisite for the possibility of discussing any other issues related to conflict resolution, including questions of territorial integrity and the future governmental structure. During the conversation with journalists, he explained that Ukraine takes the search for peace very seriously and strives to achieve it; however, this process largely depends on the actions and stance of the Russian Federation. According to Ermak, if all responsibility rested solely on Ukraine, the war would have ended long ago, as the country has taken all possible steps for peace. However, the realities of today are such that Russia has not yet demonstrated a genuine desire to cease its aggressive policies and return to diplomacy. A particular initiative has gained special relevance, which emerged more than 50 days ago when former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed implementing a full 30-day ceasefire. At that time, Ukraine, along with its allies, agreed to this step, but Russia responded with a three-day "ceasefire" — a formal act that does not constitute a true cessation of hostilities. Simultaneously, Ukrainian officials emphasize that they are willing to negotiate, but only under conditions of security and stability — with a complete halt to fire, which must be equal for all conflict parties. Ermak stressed that the position of Ukraine, the United States, and European partners is that any steps toward peace can only be made on the basis of preserving sovereignty, independence, and international law. Ukraine firmly stands on its "red lines," which include the inviolability of its Constitution, international law, and the UN Charter. "We will never recognize the occupation of our territories," said Ermak. "This is our stance, and we adhere to it." At the same time, he adds that the Ukrainian side understands that some issues may require diplomatic resolution and that honest dialogue is necessary. The willingness to negotiate exists, but it presupposes that Moscow will also participate in constructive dialogue rather than merely issuing ultimatums and holding territories by force. The Head of the Office of the President emphasized that Ukraine demonstrates itself as a responsible and pragmatic partner. As one example, he cited the signing of a historic agreement with the United States, which Ermak described as "key to future security and stability through economic dialogue." This, according to him, is evidence of the country's desire not only to fight but also to create conditions for a peaceful, stable, and secure Ukraine. "We continue the fight because there is no alternative. We have no other country but ours. And we have enough strength not only to win this war but also to build a strong and peaceful space," Ermak stated. Against this background of rhetoric, the importance of diplomatic conflict resolution is emphasized, which remains the main goal of the Ukrainian side. Meanwhile, American politicians have recently reaffirmed their support for peace initiatives. For example, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that Washington recommends the conflicting parties formulate and agree upon basic principles that would allow them to sit down at the negotiation table and begin a diplomatic resolution process. Thus, while the Ukrainian authorities openly declare their readiness for negotiations, they do so with the reservation that security and respect for international law must be guaranteed. Observers note that the future path to peace will be complex and lengthy, as both sides have clear positions and an uncompromising approach to key issues. Nevertheless, there remains hope that diplomacy can overcome the military conflict and restore trust between the sides, making long-term peace in the region possible.