Coalition of the willing urges Kremlin to quickly agree to or reject ceasefire

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has stated during a joint press conference with his UK counterpart David Lammy that the coalition of the willing, which supports Ukraine, is preparing options to monitor a ceasefire but is currently demanding a clear response from Moscow to the proposal – even if it is a rejection.

Source: European Pravda

Quote: "Russia owes an answer to the United States. [...] It has to be ‘yes’. It has to be ‘no’. It has to be a quick answer."

Details: The French foreign minister expressed confidence that Russia would not agree to the ceasefire, stating that Ukrainians want peace, while Putin thinks differently. Barrot believes that Putin is proving this with strikes on energy infrastructure and by announcing last week the conscription of 160,000 soldiers – the largest call-up in the past 14 years. He added that Vladimir Putin clearly shows no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire or negotiations.

Barrot also stressed that Ukraine has made a "major concession" by agreeing to the US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, while Russia is violating the arrangement by "continuing its strikes on energy infrastructure, continuing its war crimes", and has yet to give a final answer on its readiness for a ceasefire.

He confirmed that military leaders from several countries in the coalition of the willing would arrive in Ukraine on Friday 4 April to discuss security guarantees.

"This means building a strong Ukrainian army that is going to be the first layer of any guaranteed peace in a lasting sense. […] This is the reason why our army chiefs will be in Kyiv today," Barrot said. He also said that France and the UK remain in contact with the US, "putting together  scenarios for the monitoring of a ceasefire".

Background:

• NATO has previously assessed the balance of power on the battlefield and whether Russia has a chance of a breakthrough. 
• NATO also believes Russia is stockpiling missiles for a new strike on Ukraine. 
• Meanwhile, Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev during a visit to the US has falsely accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire.

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