"The Easter ceasefire announced by Moscow, but which did not lead to a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, was a marketing operation to avoid losing patience with US President Donald Trump."
This was said today by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, also noting that the Europeans informed the US of their red lines regarding a Ukraine-Russia peace agreement, in a meeting they had last week.
"The Easter ceasefire, which Vladimir Putin announced somewhat unexpectedly, was a marketing operation, a charm operation intended to prevent President Trump from losing his temper and getting irritated. However, what we are finding is that, despite the numerous violations, hundreds of thousands discovered by the Ukrainians, the intensity of drone and long-range missile strikes has decreased," Barrot added.
Russia resumed airstrikes in Ukraine again yesterday after a fragile 30-hour Easter ceasefire expired.
Donald Trump threatened on Friday to withdraw from ceasefire negotiations, which Washington has been conducting for weeks but without result so far, before declaring on Sunday that he hoped for an agreement "within the week" between Russia and Ukraine, in a short message he posted on Truth Social.
"For more than a month, the Ukrainians, based on a Franco-British plan, have unilaterally proposed a ceasefire at sea, in the air and on energy infrastructure, a proposal that was welcomed by the Americans, who asked the Ukrainians to move further towards a general 30-day ceasefire. It is now up to Vladimir Putin to accept the same principle," the French minister further explained.
European powers told the US last week which aspects of a possible peace deal between Ukraine and Russia would be non-negotiable for them, the French foreign minister also noted. Meanwhile, a meeting is also planned in London for tomorrow between senior American, Ukrainian, British and French officials, including the US Secretary of State, following the talks in Paris.
"The only objective that concerns us is to protect French interests and European security. That is why, while the US decides to put itself in the position of a mediator, we are making them listen to what our 'red lines' are," Barrot stressed. (A2 Televizion)
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