Pressure on Russia, ceasefire can move talks forward – Merezhko
Only maximum pressure on Russia and a ceasefire can unlock negotiations to achieve peace, according to Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation Oleksandr Merezhko (from the Servant of the People faction).
"If our Western partners, the United States, truly want to achieve a lasting and just peace, then they must act in a certain sequence. First, there must be pressure. It exists now, but not at a sufficient level. Sanctions must be introduced – the ones U.S. President Donald Trump has long spoken about. Russia must be cut off from the revenues it receives from selling oil and gas. Second, a ceasefire regime. No agreements are needed here; unilateral declarations are possible. And only after that should negotiations begin. Because negotiations cannot take place when you are being destroyed, killed, and your critical infrastructure is being wiped out every day," Merezhko told Interfax‑Ukraine.
According to the committee head, such a sequence will only be possible when Trump takes a more realistic view of the situation and understands that deals with Putin are an illusion.
He said the main obstacle in negotiations remains Putin's unwillingness to stop the war and aggression.
"You can agree with the Americans or Europeans on anything, but the stumbling block remains unchanged – the Kremlin's lack of readiness to stop. And for that to become possible, pressure is needed above all," Merezhko said.
He also said Ukraine must maintain dialogue with all political forces in the United States.
"We must work with everyone. We should engage even with the MAGA political movement, because these are Trump's voters… The United States is now preparing for the midterm congressional elections, and it is extremely important that support for Ukraine becomes one of the key issues in American politics," Merezhko said.
The MP added that Ukraine must work in the United States with the Ukrainian diaspora and with the diasporas of friendly countries – Lithuania and Poland.
"We need to unite efforts as much as possible so that Congress includes people – regardless of party affiliation, Democrat or Republican – who are pro‑Ukrainian and ready to support us," Merezhko said.
