PRZEMYSL: President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, after Kyiv and its European allies known as for a 30-day ceasefire, is “not sufficient”, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned on Sunday. “An unconditional ceasefire isn’t preceded by negotiations, by definition,” Macron informed reporters as he stepped off a prepare within the Polish metropolis of Przemysl on his return from a visit to Ukraine, including that Putin was “in search of a means out, however he nonetheless desires to purchase time”.Western allies have repeatedly accused Putin of delaying ways with reference to any potential bid to finish the battle in Ukraine, which has dragged on since February 2022.Requested if this was one other such instance, Macron replied: “Sure, it’s.”Macron visited Kyiv on Saturday with the leaders of Germany, Britain and Poland, with the 4 of them and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire beginning on Monday.Macron warned that Russia would face “huge sanctions” if it didn’t comply.The US and different international locations again the proposal, the leaders mentioned.Talking on the Kremlin within the early hours of Sunday, Putin proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul within the coming days however didn’t handle the 30-day ceasefire proposal.“It is a means of not answering… of exhibiting that he’s dedicated whereas additionally making an attempt to take care of ambiguity within the eyes of the Individuals,” Macron mentioned. “We have to stand agency with the Individuals and say that the ceasefire is unconditional after which we will talk about the remaining,” he added.Macron additionally mentioned that Putin’s proposal was “unacceptable for the Ukrainians as a result of they can’t settle for parallel discussions whereas they proceed to be bombed”.He additionally forged doubt on whether or not Zelenskyy would comply with talks in Istanbul given the “sophisticated” Russian-Ukrainian negotiations held there shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
