Germany urges Europe to prepare for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire day

Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has emphasised that Europe must be prepared for the day when Russia and Ukraine reach a ceasefire agreement.

Pistorius noted that Russia’s position during the recent talks in Istanbul indicates Moscow is not yet ready to end hostilities. However, he stressed that European countries should look beyond the immediate situation.

“We must be ready for day X, when a ceasefire occurs. This will not guarantee endless negotiations toward lasting peace. Therefore, Europe must prepare in advance for the dialogue,” Pistorius said, according to Tagesschau.

The Istanbul talks marked the first direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in three years, with their last face-to-face encounter taking place in March 2022. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, stated that Moscow was “generally satisfied” with the outcome and “ready to continue contacts.” Rustem Umerov, leader of the Ukrainian delegation, also suggested that negotiations might continue.

The talks, chaired by Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, concluded in Istanbul at 15:20 Moscow time after lasting just under two hours. Prior to the meeting, the Turkish minister announced that Kyiv and Moscow had reached a preliminary agreement to hold further discussions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who proposed resuming dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, did not rule out that these talks could lead to a new, “real ceasefire.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also prioritised achieving a ceasefire.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in Ukraine as well. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that European countries and Ukraine are currently “agreeing and coordinating” their response to what he described as Russia’s “unacceptable” stance during the talks.

The Kremlin stressed that Moscow is committed to “seriously seeking ways for a long-term peaceful settlement” in Ukraine but insisted that negotiations cannot proceed “in the language of ultimatums.” Russian authorities believe it is necessary to discuss the details of a ceasefire thoroughly before implementing it.

By Tamilla Hasanova