The United Kingdom and France have jointly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately stalling ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine. The criticism comes after weeks of intense U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure a temporary truce, which Moscow has effectively rejected.
A Kremlin official earlier this week dismissed the U.S.-backed plan for a complete, 30-day cessation of hostilities, characterizing the peace process as an “endless endeavor.” This response has been met with frustration by Western powers, particularly the UK and France.
Speaking at NATO headquarters on Friday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed growing impatience with Moscow. “We believe President Putin is deliberately dragging his feet,” Lammy said during a press briefing, standing alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Their joint appearance was a symbolic show of allied unity.
Meanwhile, a Kremlin envoy in Washington for discussions with Trump administration officials said more time and dialogue would be required to resolve outstanding issues. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and under previous U.S. sanctions, stated the conversations were “positive and constructive,” though he criticized what he described as a “coordinated media campaign” to distort Russia’s image and diplomatic intentions.
The Biden-era sanctions against Dmitriev had to be temporarily lifted to allow his visit, underscoring the complex diplomatic tightrope being walked by both sides.
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Escalating Civilian Toll Amid Stalemate
Even as talks remain stalled, the war continues to claim civilian lives. On Thursday night, a Russian Shahed drone struck a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing five people and injuring 32 more, according to local officials. Additional attacks were reported in three other Ukrainian regions, and the Ukrainian Air Force reported that 78 Russian drones had been launched overnight.
In retaliation, Russia claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 107 Ukrainian drones, indicating a steep rise in drone warfare on both sides.
According to Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts, Russia is now preparing for a major ground offensive aimed at reshaping the battlefield in its favor before any ceasefire is finalized. As spring sets in and muddy terrain dries out, Russian forces are expected to intensify operations along the 1,000-kilometer front line, hoping to gain strategic leverage.
Western Allies Rally Around Ukraine
In response to Russia’s military buildup and diplomatic stalling, the UK and France are spearheading the creation of a multinational “coalition of volunteers” to oversee any future peace agreement in Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian official recently confirmed that 10 to 12 countries have expressed interest in joining the initiative.
“We see you, Vladimir Putin,” declared Foreign Secretary Lammy. “We know what you’re doing—targeting civilians, attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This must stop.”
Barrot emphasized that Ukraine had already agreed to the ceasefire terms three weeks ago and urged Russia to respond to the U.S. proposal in good faith. He reiterated that the onus is now on Moscow to take the next step.
President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year, has grown increasingly frustrated with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised a swift resolution to the war. However, progress has been slow and fraught with geopolitical tensions.
Despite the diplomatic impasse, both France and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s military defense capabilities. With NATO membership off the table in the near future, reinforcing Ukraine’s armed forces remains the West’s primary strategy to deter further Russian aggression and bring lasting stability to the region.
As the war grinds on, pressure mounts on Russia to return to the negotiating table—and on the West to ensure Ukraine does not stand alone.
This article is originally published on lactualite.com
