Ukrainian foreign minister calls for increased pressure on Russia at NATO–Ukraine council to force path to peace

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for increased pressure on Russia to force it to peace during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council held in Brussels the day before.

Sybiha said that Ukraine had taken real steps towards peace in March. He mentioned the US leadership in peace efforts and reiterated Ukraine's unconditional agreement to a full 30-day ceasefire.

Meanwhile, he said that the Russian response to this was only additional demands and conditions, which showed that Russia was an obstacle to peace and the only source of war.

Sybiha also informed the audience about specific cases of Russia's violation of the ceasefire agreements regarding energy facilities.

He said that Ukraine also insisted on an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure and conveyed this position to the US side.

"We are convinced that it is time to increase pressure on Russia. Economic pressure through sanctions. Military pressure by providing Ukraine with additional military assistance and deterrence packages. Pressure is the only way to make Russia take peace seriously," the minister stressed.

He also welcomed the discussion of robust security guarantees for Ukraine within the coalition of the willing, led by the UK and France, and stressed the need to extend the future presence of the allies to land, air and sea.

Sybiha also spoke about Ukraine's priority short-term needs, including additional air defence systems and ammunition, shells, drones and other equipment.

The Foreign Ministry's press service noted that most participants in the meeting supported US peace efforts and the emphasis on Ukraine taking steps towards peace, while Russia is dragging its feet.

Most allies also supported the call for increased pressure on Russia to make peace, as well as increased support for Ukraine and its defence capabilities.

A number of NATO member states have announced specific new commitments and assistance packages that will be announced in the near future.

According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump's inner circle has begun to acknowledge that a peace deal on Ukraine is unattainable in the coming months.

The US president himself said he was "pissed off" with Putin for his remarks about the transitional government in Ukraine and threatened to impose large-scale secondary tariffs on Russian oil.