Canada believes Russia's refusal to agree to ceasefire must have consequences

Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has stated that Russia’s effective refusal to uphold the ceasefire arrangements must have consequences, and a deadline should be set for the Kremlin’s final decision on whether or not to participate in the agreement.

Source: Mélanie Joly before the start of day two of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on 4 April, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent

Details: The Canadian foreign minister stressed that Russia’s de facto refusal to agree to a ceasefire must lead to practical consequences.

Quote: "Russia needs to come back with a clear position. And we believe that it’s important to have a délai [deadline] on the reaction of Russia towards the ceasefire proposal. So, we think that if ultimately they do not agree to that ceasefire, there should be consequences." 

Details: When asked whether the current US administration shares the view of Europe and Canada that Russia poses a direct threat, Joly said it was important for everyone to agree that Russia is indeed a threat: "If not, I don’t know why we should always increase and increase more and more defence spending?"

Joly also supported the idea of setting a specific deadline for Russia to make its decision regarding participation in the ceasefire agreement.

"Absolutely, that’s my point," she stressed.

As reported by European Pravda, on 4 April French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking alongside his UK counterpart David Lammy at NATO Headquarters, stated that the member states of the coalition of the willing supporting Ukraine expect a clear answer from Russia on whether it will comply with the ceasefire agreement.

Background:

• Earlier, NATO representatives assessed the balance of power on the battlefield and whether Russia has any chance of a breakthrough.
• NATO has also said that Russia is stockpiling missiles for a new strike on Ukraine.
• Meanwhile, the Kremlin’s envoy in the US has baselessly accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire.

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