Sergei Lavrov evokes, in a surprising announcement, the “beginning of direct negotiations” with Kiev. “Without prior conditions”

The proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the cessation of fire next week for Victoria Day, when Moscow celebrates 80 years from Victoria in the Second War, is “the beginning of direct negotiations” with Kiev, said the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, on Tuesday, April 29, on Tuesday, April 29.

“Our proposal, expressed by President Putin, is the beginning of the direct negotiations, without prior conditions. In this situation, the cessation of fire (for 30 days) is considered a prerequisite,” said Lavrov.

It is not clear whether Lavrov referred to the fact that direct negotiations will start at the time of ceasing fire or if Putin's announcement marks them, notes The Kyiv Independent.

Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on Lavrov's statement.

Kremlin rejected Kiev's proposal

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Ukraine's proposal to declare a 30-day armistice, asking to first take into account the concerns of Russia, while asking Kiev to join a three-day fire on the occasion of the 80-year-old ceremonies from Victoria over the Second World War. Military parade in the Red Square, EFE and Agerpres have previously reported.

“Unanswered to these questions, it is difficult to accept such a long armistice. President (Vladimir) Putin has already spoken about it,” the Russian presidency spokesman Dmitri Peskov told the local press.

Peskov insisted again, without specifying, on the existence of “nuances” that would prevent Moscow from accepting the counter -offender of the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski.

In the past, President Putin argued that such an armistice would only allow the Ukrainian enemy to regroup and re -enroll with Western armament.

In his Monday evening message, Volodimir Zelenski qualified the 72 -hour armistice – 8, 9 and 10 May – announced on Monday as a “manipulation” and an attempt to deceive international partners, such as the US.

“We are prepared to collaborate with international partners to stop any war. However, Russia continues to reject all the proposals and is only concerned about manipulating and deceiving the international community. Now it is trying to play another farce. Why should everyone wait until May 8, and to remain silent,”

The President of Ukraine mentioned that such proposals cannot be accepted and reminded that the value of human life is more important than any kind of parade.

“We value human life, not the parades. That is why there is no point in waiting for an armistice until May 8. The war must end not temporarily, but through a permanent, guaranteed and reliable armistice, for a period of at least 30 days,” said the Ukrainian leader.

“The cessation of fire should not last a few days to kill again. It must be immediate, complete and unconditional, for at least 30 days,” he said.

In reply, Peskov, who stated that the armistice on the occasion of the victory of the Red Army over Nazi Germany is a “gesture of goodwill”, in turn accused Zelenski of manipulation, by avoiding “a direct response to Putin's initiative”.

“So far, I have not heard any reaction from the Kiev regime. At this moment, it is very difficult to understand whether the Kiev regime intends to join or not,” said the Kremlin spokesman, adding that neither European leaders have reacted to the armistice announced by Russia.

“Here is clear who, indeed, aspires to peace and who is an apologet of the war,” he said.

Peskov also claims that the Ukrainians did not respond to Putin's availability to resume direct negotiations with Kiev after the Easter armistice.

Kiev insists on territorial integrity

After meeting with the special US emissary, Steve Witkoff on April 25, Vladimir Putin said the US that he is ready to go into negotiations with Ukraine “without prior conditions”.

In fact, the Kremlin has repeatedly stated that it is prepared for peace negotiations, although it seems to constantly impose maximalist requests, Kiev accusing Moscow of deliberately block peace efforts.

Kiev claims that he is prepared for negotiations, but insists that any process of peace must maintain the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and that the territorial problems can only be addressed after a complete cease.

Trump's position

In a reaction to the Kremlin's ad, the White House said on Monday that US President Donald Trump is in favor of an unlimited army, not temporary armistice.

“The president (Trump, no) clearly said he wants a permanent armistice first to stop the killings and bloodshed,” Karoline Leavitt said Monday, spokesman for the White House.

Leavitt said that Trump “remains optimistic that he can reach an agreement”, but added that the US president is “more and more frustrated by the leaders of both countries”, who “must sit at the negotiation table to find a solution” to end the war.

A 30 -day armistice, with the possibility of extension, has been proposed by Ukraine at the initiative of the United States since mid -March. Then, reacting to this proposal, Putin said that, in principle, Moscow does not reject it, but there are “shades”.

Among them, the Kremlin leader mentioned control and verification problems, as well as the need to stop mobilization and supply to Ukraine for 30 days.

Also, the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, recently said that a condition of Moscow for a longer cessation of fire is that Western countries will no longer provide Ukraine's armament during the armistice.

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