After the conclusion of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries summit, I spoke with journalists and shared some details of today’s negotiations with the Russians in Istanbul: an unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners, the return of children, and, importantly, the return, not exchange, of civilians.
Then comes a leaders-level meeting. As for a meeting of the leaders, the Russians believe that this can be worked on by the end of this month or early next month.
As for the ceasefire, they basically don’t see it happening yet. According to the Russians, they’re ready for a 2–3 day ceasefire just to collect their dead from the battlefield. I think — idiots, because the whole point of a ceasefire is to stop people from becoming dead in the first place. So, you see the mindset. For them, it’s just a short pause in the war.
Ukraine says it has struck bridge connecting Russia to Crimea with underwater explosives, days after its audacious attack on Russian air bases https://t.co/SqG61u5gSh
Diplomacy is stronger when we are united. We are discussing with our partners the details and ideas from yesterday’s conversation with President Trump.
It is important that America remains engaged in the process of bringing peace closer. It is America that Russia fears, and it is American influence that can save many lives, if used as leverage to make Putin end the war.
Today brings important decisions on sanctions. A new European sanctions package, the seventeenth, is already in place. This is a step in the right direction, and there should be as many sanctioning steps as necessary for Russia to become interested in peace and to feel the full price of its aggression and desire to prolong the war. I thank everyone who is helping.
I’ve met with President Zelenskyy and members of his government. They are strong, honorable allies.
Minnesota stands with the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend freedom and democracy.