Ukraine is now preparing to monitor a possible ceasefire along its 1,300 km (800-mile) frontline with Russia. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced this on Friday. Meanwhile, a new survey reveals that half of Ukraine’s population opposes giving up land for a quick peace deal.
US Pushes Ceasefire Agreement
At the same time, the United States is pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire plan negotiated with Kyiv. On Thursday, Putin welcomed the proposal in principle. However, he also listed several conditions. Consequently, his demands suggest that Moscow is not ready for a quick agreement, which has made Kyiv skeptical.
Ukraine Prepares for a Possible Truce
To ensure proper enforcement, Ukraine is setting up a team to monitor any ceasefire. “In order to avoid possible provocations from the Russian side, we need to be prepared,” Sybiha told reporters.
Earlier on Thursday, he had criticized Putin’s stance on X. “Putin seeks to continue the war. The rest of his words are just a smokescreen,” he wrote, echoing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s view.
Additionally, Sybiha was part of Ukraine’s delegation in Saudi Arabia. He confirmed that Kyiv fully supports Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing war.
Past Truce Failures Raise Concerns
However, enforcing a ceasefire will not be easy. Sybiha pointed to Ukraine’s past experiences with the German- and French-backed Minsk agreements. These truces failed to stop Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine since 2014. As a result, Russia now controls about one-fifth of Ukraine’s land.
Citizens Stand Firm Against Land Concessions
Meanwhile, a Kyiv International Institute of Sociology survey, published on Friday, found that 50% of Ukrainians reject surrendering any land for peace. This percentage remains nearly unchanged from December when it was 51%. On the other hand, 39% support a land-for-peace deal.
