Ukraine to Push for “Unconditional Ceasefire” at London Talks With US and Allies, Zelenskyy Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine’s top priority during upcoming diplomatic meetings in London on April 23 will be securing an “unconditional ceasefire” with Russia, calling it the essential first step toward lasting peace, Ukrainian President said in his evening address on April 21.

Zelenskyy said meetings are being prepared with partners from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—talks that “could bring the end of hostilities and a real, lasting peace closer.”

Zelenskyy emphasized that the international community can now clearly see the root of the problem after the Easter holiday.

“Now, after Easter, the whole world can clearly see the real issue – the real reason why the hostilities continue. Russia is the source of this war,” he said. “It is from Moscow that a real order must come for the Russian army to cease fire. And if there is no such firm Russian order for ceasefire – then there is no ceasefire.”

Although some parts of the front saw relative calm and air-raid sirens were silent during Easter, Zelenskyy noted that Russian forces still carried out assaults, airstrikes, and shelling that led to both military and civilian casualties.

“Today, there have been even more Russian strikes. By just the middle of the day – by 1:00 p.m. – there have already been nearly three thousand instances of shelling, assaults, and other strikes. There were Russian missile launches, Shaheds, nearly ninety aerial bombs, the use of heavy weaponry, and drones,” he said, and added that “Russian attacks continue across the entire frontline.”

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He said Russia has not only rejected Ukraine’s proposal to continue the Easter ceasefire but also ignored a broader American proposal for a full and unconditional truce that was made during talks in Jeddah more than a month ago.

“All of this once again shows what Moscow truly wants. Nevertheless, Ukraine stands by its offer — at the very least, not to strike civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear answer from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this,” he stated.

According to Zelenskyy, the most direct and effective way to protect civilian infrastructure would be a ban on missile and long-range drone strikes—an agreement that could automatically “guarantee the safety of all civilian sites.”

“A ceasefire – real and lasting – must be the first step toward a secure and enduring peace. Ukrainian representatives – both at the meetings held in Paris and at the meetings scheduled this week in London – will have a primary task regarding an unconditional ceasefire. That must be the starting point. Peace begins in silence. And only when there is genuine silence, and when people trust the entire negotiation process, can the fundamental issues begin to be resolved.”

Earlier, reports emerged that Steve Witkoff, the US President’s Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, may travel to Russia following a round of high-level diplomatic meetings in London.

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