Synopsis
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized Kyiv's dedication to US-led peace efforts during discussions in London with European security and foreign policy advisors. Key talks focused on achieving a comprehensive and enduring peace as Ukraine asserts its stance on territorial integrity and the need for a ceasefire.Key Takeaways
- Kyiv's commitment to US-led peace initiatives was reaffirmed.
- Dialogue included key representatives from the UK, France, and Germany.
- Ukraine insists on a complete ceasefire before territorial negotiations.
- The meeting aimed to unify positions among involved parties.
- Ukraine's leadership rejects any deal compromising territorial sovereignty.
Kyiv, April 24 (NationPress) Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated that the Ukrainian delegation has reaffirmed Kyiv's dedication to the peace initiatives spearheaded by the US during discussions with European national security and foreign policy advisors in London.
"We reiterated Ukraine's commitment to the peace efforts led by US President Donald Trump and our readiness to advance towards a comprehensive, equitable, and enduring peace," Sybiha remarked on Wednesday in a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
He characterized the dialogue between the Ukrainian delegation—comprising head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov—and national security and foreign policy advisors from the UK, France, and Germany as "meaningful," as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Peace initiatives were also central to the discussions between Sybiha, Umerov, and their British counterparts—Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey, according to the statement.
Additionally, the Ukrainian team engaged with US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, where both sides exchanged "constructive views on the path to peace," as highlighted in the statement.
"Today's meetings facilitated the alignment of positions and reaffirmed our robust commitment to enduring peace and security not only in Ukraine but across Europe and the transatlantic region," Sybiha pointed out.
"Ukraine desires the war's conclusion more than anyone else worldwide. We are dedicated to collaborating to realize this objective." The London meeting, initially planned as a ministerial-level summit involving the US, the UK, Germany, France, and Ukraine, was notably downgraded after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff opted not to attend.
Rubio withdrew following Ukraine's submission of a document to European partners on April 22, stating it would not engage in discussions regarding territorial matters until Russia consents to a "full and unconditional ceasefire."
After the meetings in London, Andriy Yermak reiterated Kyiv's stance, declaring, "An immediate, comprehensive, and unconditional ceasefire should be the first step toward initiating negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace."
Yermak also stressed that Ukraine would uphold its "principled positions," foundational to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite Rubio and Witkoff's absence, the UK Foreign Ministry indicated that "significant progress was made in achieving a unified position," with all parties reaffirming their support for US President Donald Trump's stated commitment to attaining a just and lasting peace.
This meeting followed a summit in Paris on April 17, where senior officials from the Trump administration presented a controversial peace proposal to Ukrainian and European representatives.
The proposal reportedly includes recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and a prohibition on Ukraine's NATO membership—two primary demands from the Kremlin.
Ukraine's leadership has categorically rejected any agreement that compromises sovereign territory.
"This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Tuesday.
The US President denied that Ukraine is being coerced into accepting the Crimea clause, posting on Truth Social: "Nobody is asking Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory."
Trump also claimed that "even before the annexation of Crimea, significant Russian submarine bases" were located there and accused Zelensky of exacerbating tensions with rhetoric that complicates peace negotiations.
Despite Trump's assertions of progress, Russia has dismissed a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and continues its offensive operations.
Putin announced a symbolic one-day Easter truce on April 19, which Ukraine reported was breached nearly 3,000 times.
Kyiv has separately proposed a 30-day ceasefire aimed at halting long-range drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure, which the Kremlin has stated it will "consider."
While Trump has consistently pledged to conclude the war promptly and expressed dissatisfaction with Russia's unwillingness to de-escalate, the US President has yet to implement new sanctions or punitive measures in response to Moscow's ongoing invasion.
