Britain and France have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling ceasefire discussions aimed at halting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The two nations have called for a swift response from Moscow after weeks of diplomatic efforts led by the United States to secure a truce.
Russia has effectively dismissed a US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire. A Kremlin representative recently stated that Moscow views efforts to end the war as a lengthy process, with no immediate resolution in sight.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking at NATO headquarters, claimed that Putin is continuing to delay the process, further complicating peace negotiations. Lammy’s remarks came alongside French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, in a show of unity between the two countries.
A Kremlin envoy who recently visited Washington suggested that multiple meetings would be required to resolve the outstanding issues. Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, claimed the dialogue was progressing positively, despite criticism of a media campaign aimed at portraying Russia negatively.
Meanwhile, the war continues to take a heavy toll on civilians. In Kharkiv, a Russian Shahed drone struck a residential area late Thursday, killing five people and injuring 32, according to local authorities.
Additional drone strikes also targeted other Ukrainian regions, with the Ukrainian air force reporting the destruction of 107 Ukrainian drones by Russian defences.
In anticipation of further military action, Russian forces are preparing for a large-scale offensive, with analysts suggesting a ground assault along the 1,000-kilometre front line in the coming weeks. This strategic move is designed to increase pressure on Ukraine and strengthen Russia’s negotiating position in the ceasefire talks.
Britain and France have been instrumental in leading a multinational effort known as the “coalition of the willing” to establish a peacekeeping force that would oversee any future peace agreement in Ukraine. Several nations have expressed readiness to join this coalition, including a significant number of European countries.
Despite Ukraine’s acceptance of ceasefire terms weeks ago, Russia has yet to provide a clear response. The continued bombardment of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, including energy supplies, has been condemned by both Britain and France, with calls for Putin to immediately halt hostilities.
France and the UK remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s military efforts, continuing to build up its armed forces, as the country’s security guarantee becomes more reliant on international support, particularly after the U.S. ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO.
Coalition military leaders are set to meet in Kyiv, with a defence ministers’ meeting scheduled at NATO headquarters next week. The international community remains hopeful that a ceasefire can be achieved, but the delay from Russia leaves many questioning Putin’s commitment to peace.
