[“idiot”: Zelenskyy criticizes Russia's "ceasefire for 2-3 days" proposal]

On June 2nd, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticized Russia's proposal to pause fighting for 2-3 days to retrieve battlefield remains, emphasizing that a ceasefire should be aimed at preventing casualties rather than post-conflict logistics. The Ukrainian agenda remains unchanged: an unconditional ceasefire, exchange of prisoners of war, return of children, release of civilians, followed by a leaders' meeting.

Zelenskyy stated, "They simply don't understand the meaning of a ceasefire. Talking about preparing a 2-3 day ceasefire to collect bodies is, in my view, idiotic logic. A ceasefire is meant to prevent further deaths." In his opinion, the Russian side views a ceasefire merely as a 'temporary lull' in warfare. "I hope our American partners will strongly push the Senate to pass the sanctions package, using tough measures to force Russia into a ceasefire – they only respond to this. Five months have passed since the U.S. signaled a ceasefire, and we have consistently supported it."

Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia's "2-3 day ceasefire" proposal is merely "verbal maneuvering." "Mr. Merkuzov (the Russian representative) has never been someone who can discuss substantive matters from the beginning; they don't even understand technical details. Battlefield exchanges of remains happen frequently, and there wouldn't be firing in these areas anyway."

Zelenskyy pointed out that such localized ceasefires do not constitute a true ceasefire, as battles continue elsewhere and civilians are still under attack. "Why does Russia do this? Just like prisoner exchanges, they use this to delay necessary U.S. sanctions. If no progress is made on the ceasefire issue during the Istanbul negotiations, the U.S. must take sanctions measures."

Russian representatives proposed at the Istanbul talks that a ceasefire could be implemented in individual frontline areas for 2-3 days, with drones and other equipment shut down, to facilitate the recovery of soldiers' remains. Merkuzov claimed that the Ukrainian military had promised to "study this issue."

Russia has consistently refused a comprehensive ceasefire of at least 30 days over the past few months, citing concerns that "the West might use it to strengthen aid to Ukraine."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833858307263499/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's viewpoint.