Russia called to prove that he wants peace with Ukraine

The United Kingdom and France have called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to prove that he wanted a peace deal with Ukraine before conversations between Putin and Donald Trump on Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes the “courage” of Ukraine President Volodimir Benksy, agreeing to the proposal to end the fire and cause Russia to do the same.

“Enough deaths. Enough destroyed lives. Enough destruction. Weapons have to remain silent,” Macron said in an X.

The United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, David Lamy, said Putin should agree to “complete and unconditional cessation of fire,” telling MPs that he had not seen “any sign” that Putin is serious about a peaceful deal.

He warned that the United Kingdom and its allies have “more cards that we can play” to help Russia negotiate “seriously”.

The White House sounded a more optimistic note on the eve of Trump-Putin’s conversations, which would take place on the phone, saying that peace in Ukraine “was never closer.”

White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt told reporters on Monday that Trump was “determined” to provide the peace deal.

With regard to the conversations they can cover, she said: “There is a power plant that is on the border of Russia and Ukraine, which was a discussion with the Ukrainians, and he will turn to him in his call with Putin tomorrow.”

The facility will probably be the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. It has been occupied by the Russian forces since March 2022 and has been maintained by the fears of a nuclear disaster due to fighting in the area.

Asked on Sunday what discounts are considered when negotiating the fire termination, Trump replied: “We will talk about land. We will talk about power plants (…) We are already talking about it, dividing certain assets.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on what the leaders would discuss, replying: “We never do that.”

While Putin has previously stated that he supported the truce, he also sets out a list of conditions for peace.

One of the controversial areas is the Western Kursk region in Russia, where Ukraine launched a military invasion last August and took over some territory.

Russia has insisted on restoring it in recent weeks, and Putin now claims to be completely back into Kursk control.

He also raised many questions about how the cessation of fire could also be monitored on the front line of the east and said he would not accept NATO troops into the territory.

The proposal for the peace of the table was discussed by Ukrainian and American delegates in Saudi Arabia last week.

After hours closed in a room, they announced suggestions for a 30-day termination of fire, which Ukraine said he was ready to accept.

French President Macron and the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who met on Tuesday, stressed that their nations would continue their “unwavering” support for Ukraine and demand “clear commitments” from Russia.