Amid negotiations taking place in London, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized that Ukraine has opened the door for dialogue but will not agree to surrender.
This is reported by Finway
“Today, as the Ukrainian delegation meets with partners in London, we reaffirm our principled position: Ukraine is ready for negotiations, but not for surrender. There will be no agreement that provides Russia with a stronger foundation necessary for regrouping and returning with greater violence. A complete ceasefire – on land, in the air, and at sea – is a necessary first step. If Russia chooses a limited pause, Ukraine will respond in kind,” Svyrydenko stated on social media platform X.
Svyrydenko also stressed that the Ukrainian people will not accept a frozen conflict disguised as a peace agreement. She noted:
“We will never recognize the occupation of Crimea. And if NATO membership is not granted, Ukraine will demand mandatory security guarantees – strong enough to deter future aggression and clear enough to ensure lasting peace.”
It is worth recalling that President Volodymyr Zelensky previously emphasized the need for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire. He noted that Ukraine is ready to maintain a state of silence for at least 30 days and make it absolute.
These comments came in the context of Ukraine’s negotiations with representatives from the U.S. and Europe in London. Initially, a meeting at the level of foreign ministers was planned, but it was downgraded to a lower level.
According to information from The Wall Street Journal, Ukraine is under pressure from the U.S. to respond to a series of proposals from the Trump administration regarding the end of the war, including the possibility of U.S. recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the exclusion of Kyiv from the list of NATO candidates. Ukraine’s response is expected to be provided during a meeting of American, Ukrainian, and European officials in London this week.
Additionally, the Financial Times reported on April 22 that Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg, proposed to halt hostilities in Ukraine along the current front line.