Germany warned Monday that the “clock is ticking” for Russia to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine until the end of the day – or face new European sanctions.
“If Moscow does not accept the demand, preparations will be set in motion in Brussels for fresh sanctions,” Stefan Kornelius, a German government spokesperson, reported as saying by BILD.
The statement came as European ministers gathered in London for a key meeting on the war in Ukraine, which has lasted more than three years.
“The Ukrainian president has made it clear that he is prepared to agree to a ceasefire,” Kornelius said, speaking at the briefing in Berlin.
“He has made major concessions in the last two weeks. It is now up to the Russian side to respond to these proposals and agree to serious political negotiations.”
The warning follows a Saturday visit to Kyiv by leaders from France, Germany, Poland, and the UK. During that trip, they called on the Kremlin to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire to pave the way for peace talks.
On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, but did not respond to the call for a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially said Kyiv would join the talks only if there is a ceasefire, but later, in multiple evening updates, said he would go regardless.
“And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” he said in one update.
“Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire – this proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire – one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy and could significantly bring peace closer,” he said in another update.
European leaders have expressed doubt about Putin’s offer for direct talks, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying it may be a stalling tactic.
“An unconditional ceasefire, by definition, must come before negotiations,” Macron said after returning from Ukraine.
He repeated that stance later Sunday in a statement from the Élysée Palace, calling again for a ceasefire before any talks between Putin and Zelensky.