News Desk

Ukraine’s government has accused Russia of stonewalling international efforts to secure a ceasefire for more than three months, rejecting what Kyiv describes as an unconditional peace proposal backed by the United States.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said in a strongly worded statement on Thursday that Ukraine accepted a US-led initiative to cease hostilities “exactly 100 days ago,” but claimed Russia continues to refuse the offer. According to Sybiga, the plan proposed an immediate halt to fighting with no preconditions and called for the start of a genuine peace process between the two countries, now locked in their third year of war.

“It has been exactly 100 days since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the US peace proposal to completely cease fire, put an end to the killing, and move forward with a genuine peace process,” Sybiga said. “A ceasefire is the basic first step towards peace.”

The push for a ceasefire gained momentum following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump earlier this year. Trump’s return to office spurred several rounds of meetings involving senior US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials, with Turkey hosting multiple sessions of face-to-face negotiations. However, the talks have yielded no breakthroughs.

Kyiv claims that Russia has issued what it calls “ultimatums” during these meetings rather than participating in good-faith negotiations. Among Moscow’s demands are full recognition of its annexation of four Ukrainian regions-Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson-as well as the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from office.

“These are not negotiating terms, they are demands for Ukraine’s surrender,” a senior Ukrainian diplomat told reporters on background.

Despite the stalemate in diplomacy, fighting has continued across the vast 1,000-kilometer frontline. Russian forces have reportedly made modest territorial advances in recent weeks, but at high cost. Ukrainian officials warn that Moscow is using the stalemate in negotiations to press its advantage on the battlefield while accusing Kyiv of using ceasefires to regroup.

Moscow, for its part, insists that Ukraine would exploit any pause in hostilities to rearm with Western weapons and prepare for counteroffensives. Kremlin spokespeople have repeatedly stated that any peace deal must include “new territorial realities” and political changes in Ukraine, echoing long-standing Kremlin positions.

“Ukraine remains committed to peace,” said Sybiga. “Unfortunately, Russia continues to choose war, disregarding the US efforts to end the killing.”

The Ukrainian foreign minister called for stronger international pressure to bring Russia to the negotiating table. “It is time to act now and force Russia to peace,” he said. “Peace through strength, increased sanctions, and enhanced capabilities for Ukraine.”

With casualties mounting and infrastructure destruction escalating, both sides remain deeply entrenched, and the prospects for an immediate ceasefire appear grim. Analysts say the deadlock highlights the complex and fragile nature of peacemaking in a conflict that has drawn in multiple global powers and left thousands dead or displaced.

Despite the diplomatic impasse, Ukraine continues to call on Western allies to maintain military support and apply tougher sanctions on Moscow, arguing that only sustained pressure can shift the Kremlin’s calculus.