(Dan Tri) - President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls for Ukraine to agree to an immediate ceasefire in its war with Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting in London, England on March 2 (Photo: Reuters).
In an interview before ending his visit to the UK on March 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia's failure to comply with a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine following military operations since 2014 had convinced him that agreeing to a ceasefire without an enforcement mechanism backed by military force would be a mistake.
"If the conflict is not over and there are no security guarantees, no one can control the ceasefire," Mr. Zelensky said.
Mr Zelensky declined to comment when asked about media reports that France and Britain had proposed a “month-long ceasefire in the air, at sea and for energy infrastructure” in Ukraine.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he would draw up plans to set up a force to maintain stability in Ukraine with the participation of France and possibly other countries, before presenting it to President Trump in the hope of persuading the US to provide support for any European mission.
President Zelensky said Prime Minister Starmer's plan was a "good signal", but many issues still needed to be resolved.
"We will have an effective action plan and a clearer vision of what can ensure Ukraine's security. For us, security guarantees are a confirmation that similar scenarios will not happen after this period of tension is over," the Ukrainian leader stressed.
Asked how long Ukraine could hold out in its war with Russia without more US military aid, President Zelensky said Kiev "hopes for more aid" as well as continued arms deliveries that were approved at the end of former President Joe Biden's term.
"It would not be in anyone's interest if military aid stopped," Zelensky stressed, adding that stopping military aid to Ukraine would "help" Russia.
President Zelensky said he saw no need to come up with a plan to salvage his relationship with President Donald Trump after the controversy, although he expressed his gratitude to the American people.
"This relationship will continue because this is not just a relationship for a moment," Mr. Zelensky declared.
President Zelensky said he had not had direct contact with President Trump since the tense meeting on February 28, but there had been exchanges between officials. He declared his "readiness to continue dialogue".
President Zelensky affirmed that he is ready for Ukrainian ministers to sign an agreement allowing the US to jointly exploit minerals.
According to President Zelensky, meeting President Trump in person is very important because there are too many mixed messages from the Trump administration.
"I think it would be easier if there was more time for direct dialogue. I don't know their tactics," President Zelensky said, adding that he did not want "surprises in" the negotiations with the US.
The statement came just two days after a heated exchange of words between Mr. Zelensky and President Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House. The two sides disagreed on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
At the meeting, Mr. Zelensky was criticized for not wanting to make peace, lacking respect and gratitude for the long-standing support of the United States. After the meeting, some US officials suggested that the Ukrainian leader either resign or directly apologize to President Trump.
Mr. Zelensky refused to apologize, believing that he could save relations with the head of the White House and that the US would maintain support for Ukraine.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/tong-thong-ukraine-tu-choi-ngung-ban-ngay-lap-tuc-voi-nga-20250303150523875.htm
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