The European Union insists that any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine must begin with an immediate, unconditional, and comprehensive ceasefire by Russia
This position was officially stated by the spokesperson of the European Commission, Annika Hippe, on May 12 during a briefing in Brussels attended by international journalists and media representatives. Primarily, the EU calls on Russia to cease hostilities and initiate a silence regime before starting any peace negotiations, she emphasized. According to Hippe, all demands voiced by the West are based on the principle of unconditionality: "Our position is clear and consistent: we support an unconditional 30-day ceasefire that should take effect from today. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also unequivocally confirmed his agreement and readiness to accept such a ceasefire, without any additional conditions. Now, it depends on Russia whether it will respond as openly and decisively. At the same time, a ceasefire is an absolute prerequisite for any future negotiations and for bringing the conflict to a logical conclusion," she emphasized. Hippe reminded that the European Union continues to exert active pressure on the Kremlin to encourage the supply of weapons and the start of peace talks. She underscored: "To begin dialogue and find a long-term solution, a clear and unconditional cessation of hostile activities is necessary. Therefore, the EU commits to continue acting in a way that creates a safe and secure environment for the Ukrainian people." A key figure in this discourse has been the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, who does not shy away from criticizing Russia's behavior and its leader, Vladimir Putin. According to him, the Russian side "is playing games," and trusting the Kremlin is currently too risky. Meanwhile, the German government announced that if a ceasefire is not established in Ukraine by the end of Monday, Berlin, along with other European countries, will begin preparations for new sanctions against Russia. This follows calls from France, the United Kingdom, and Poland, which expressed support on Saturday for the idea of a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. Regarding personal responses from the Kremlin, unlike these calls, Vladimir Putin has not yet given a clear answer to the proposals for a voluntary 30-day ceasefire. Instead, he emphasized that he is inclined toward "direct negotiations" with Kyiv and is ready to meet with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul on May 15. It is expected that this discussion could become a decisive step toward finding a compromise, but many experts remain skeptical about the speed and outcomes of such a diplomatic initiative. Thus, the situation around the Ukraine-Russia conflict remains tense and is largely shaped by the decisions and steps that the countries of the European Union will take. Active international discussions and diplomatic efforts are aimed not only at stopping the fire but also at creating conditions for lasting peace, which currently seems possible only under the complete adherence to a ceasefire regime.