First step towards peace in Ukraine?
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Diplomats from the US and Ukraine have come up with an outline that could lead to lasting peace. The outline involves a 30-day ceasefire. It is now up to Russia to accept the outline and lay down its arms. The agreement means that the US will resume arms deliveries and intelligence to Ukraine. It is still somewhat unclear what this means in reality.
Ceasefire depends on Russia
The ceasefire proposed to Russia is likely to be a first step towards talks on a lasting peace. However, it is unclear whether Putin will agree to lay down his arms. He has previously said that a temporary ceasefire is out of the question.
A lasting peace agreement will be a lengthy process. The hope is that a ceasefire can kick-start the process and that the ceasefire will be extended during negotiations on a lasting peace. The news that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire is well received in Europe.
What makes a lasting peace agreement difficult?
Russia went to war with Ukraine to take over the entire country in a matter of days. They have not succeeded. The areas the Russians now hold are partly in eastern and partly in southern Ukraine. Russia is demanding that all these areas should be Russian, in addition to claiming areas in counties that are still under Ukrainian control. Of course, Ukraine is not willing to do this. Ukraine wants the whole country free, including Crimea. It will take a long time to find a solution that both parties can live with.
In addition, Russia demands that Ukraine should never become a member of NATO. Ukraine, for its part, wants a guarantee for its borders, primarily through the presence of soldiers from Western Europe and preferably also the USA. Putin has previously said that this is out of the question.
Updated 13.03. It is reported that Russia is not interested in a temporary ceasefire. This has emerged during talks between envoys from the US and Russia.
Sources:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/11/world/ukraine-us-talks-saudi-arabia-intl/index.html