“A ceasefire does not mean, in any way, that we will remain forever in a kind of conflict freeze, somewhat like North and South Korea,” stated Paulo Rangel, emphasizing that the essential goal now is to “stop the hostilities.”
European countries and Ukraine are preparing a proposal to end the war with Russia, maintaining the current front lines of battle.
Trusting that Portugal is aligned with the coalition uniting European partner countries of Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs underscored this proposal is foremost a way to halt hostilities.
“It is indispensable [to cease the hostilities], but we want a just peace, not peace at any cost,” he explained, adding that “one may have whatever perspective on a conflict, but without stopping the hostilities, one cannot start building a fair solution,” he mentioned at the sidelines of a conference on the 80th anniversary of the UN, taking place today in Lisbon.
“A ceasefire does not mean, in any way, that we will remain forever in a kind of conflict freeze, somewhat like the North and South Korea scenario, which leaves obvious war marks,” he further stated.
The European countries’ proposal includes setting up a peace council, chaired by the U.S. President Donald Trump, to oversee the application of the proposed 12-point plan.
Should Russia agree to a ceasefire and both sides commit to halting territorial advances, the proposals foresee the return of all deported children to Ukraine and the exchange of prisoners.
Ukraine would, in turn, receive security guarantees, funds for war damage repairs, and a swift path to join the European Union.
Sanctions against Russia would be gradually lifted, although around 300 billion U.S. dollars (almost 260 billion euros) in frozen reserves of the Russian central bank would only be returned after Moscow agrees to contribute to Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
Restrictions would be reinstated should Russia attack the neighboring country again.
