Ceasefire Truce Is a Step Toward Ending Hostilities, Says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a ceasefire agreement would represent an initial step toward ending the fighting entirely, rather than a temporary pause, as Kyiv continues to push for long-term security guarantees.

Zelensky’s demands for security assurances reflect an effort to place all parties before their responsibilities, with the focus now shifting to the U.S. administration as well as Russia, which has yet to issue an official response to the proposed terms. The plan under discussion reportedly includes around 20 clauses and continues to face Russian rejection, alongside the absence of full approval from the Ukrainian side.

The Ukrainian president is seeking security guarantees spanning between 30 and 50 years, compared with a U.S. proposal that envisions guarantees for 15 years. Zelensky has justified the longer timeframe by stressing that the conflict did not begin recently, but dates back to 2014.

According to Ukrainian officials, Zelensky aims to secure firm guarantees that would allow Ukraine to lift the state of emergency and cancel martial law and general mobilization, paving the way for long-term stability and the ability to confront any future threats.

Zelensky has also indicated that a ceasefire would open the door to a comprehensive national referendum, underscoring his view that halting the fighting is a first step toward a complete and lasting resolution of the conflict, rather than a short-lived truce.