Yermak: Russia is stalling for time and counting on the West to get tired

The head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, has made his position clear: Ukraine is ready for a cease-fire. Back in March, the Ukrainian Government supported the United States proposal for a ceasefire. But in response - silence and new shelling.

"We agreed to the US ceasefire proposal back in March. Russia didn't. Because Moscow just wants to buy time," Yermak said.

While the world is calling for de-escalation, Russia is advancing in Kharkiv and Sumshchina, getting weapons from the DPRK and moving troops. The Kremlin is in no hurry to make peace - it is playing the familiar textbook game again.

The same tactics - another war

Yermak recalled that the USSR also signed agreements and then attacked, as it did with Finland. And in the 1990s, Russia declared ceasefires in Chechnya - only to regroup and attack again.

"Today it's the same game, only the stakes are global," Yermak emphasised.

"Peace initiatives" as a screen

According to Yermak, aggression is hiding behind talk of peace. That is why Ukraine demands to stop arms deliveries to Russia, especially from the DPRK.

"We cannot allow the Kremlin to wage war under the cover of 'peace' initiatives. We must demand a real halt to the offensive, not just loud statements."

Responsibility is global

Ukraine is grateful to international partners for their support. But, as Yermak noted, the role of the US, Europe and the Global South is now key.

After all, honesty decides in this war: "Ukraine speaks plainly. Russia does not."

While Kiev is ready for dialogue, Moscow is using any pause to regroup and apply new pressure. And if the world really wants an end to the war, it must understand: silence is not always the path to peace. Sometimes it is the silence before the blow.

Recall, the other day Zelensky discussed with Erdogan the possibility of organising a quadrilateral meeting of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United States.

"We discussed a possible next meeting in Istanbul and under what conditions Ukraine is ready to participate in it. Still we see that this meeting cannot and should not be empty. We also discussed the possibility of organising a quadrilateral meeting at the level of leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United States," the president said.