Trump demands 30-day ceasefire and threatens to sanctions-Diepresse.com

US President Donald Trump demands a 30-day unconditional fire break from Russia and Ukraine. Both states would be responsible for compliance, Trump wrote on his online service Truth Social. « If the fire break is not observed, the United States and its partners will impose further sanctions, » he said. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskij said almost simultaneously that his country was ready for a ceasefire.

Selenskij and Trump had previously talked to each other by phone. Selenskij said in his evening video speech, he had guaranteed Trump’s willingness to « conversations in any format ». However, in order to be able to lead negotiations, Moscow must first « demonstrate the seriousness of his intention to end the war ». An unconditional ceasefire is the beginning.

Raw material agreements was also a topic

According to Selenskijs, the phone call with Trump also dealt with the raw material agreement of Ukraine with the USA. The agreement had been negotiated for a long time and changed at Ukraine’s request, before it was signed at the end of April. The Ukrainian parliament ratified the agreement on Thursday. It affects the joint promotion of oil, gas and minerals in Ukraine.

An earlier version of the text was originally supposed to be signed at the end of February during a visit to Selenskijs in Washington. However, there was a scandal when Trump and his Vice President JD Vance accused the Ukrainian head of state in front of ongoing cameras disrespect and a lack of gratitude for US military aid.

No security guarantees

Kiev had initially hoped that in return for preferred access to the Ukrainian soil treasures, the USA would pronounce a security guarantee to defend future Russian attacks. Washington, however, refused. The now signed agreement was nevertheless considered a diplomatic success for Kyiv. (APA/Reuters/AFP)