Zelenskyy confirms readiness for peace talks; Bulgaria plans to halt arms to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Ukraine's readiness for peace negotiations, stressing that the cessation of war is the ultimate goal. Speaking at a press conference in Tallinn, Estonia, Zelenskyy highlighted that the first step involves allowing diplomats to undertake the technical work required for a ceasefire, describing it as a complex process that cannot simply be willed into existence.

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The ideal outcome can only be the end of the war. The first step towards peace is to let diplomats do their work.

Zelenskyy expressed concerns about potential Russian actions during a ceasefire, stating that without guarantees and observers, Russia might exploit the situation. He emphasized that a ceasefire is not a simple technical matter and requires careful development by diplomats. The Ukrainian president believes that achieving a ceasefire necessitates the involvement of leaders from Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and ideally, the United States, underscoring Europe's stake in maintaining regional security.

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If we lacked guarantees and observers to ensure the ceasefire is achieved and observed, Russia would try to use this opportunity.

"Ukraine is ready. We will see when Russia is ready," Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the need for all parties to be prepared for meaningful dialogue. His remarks came during a visit to Estonia, where he met with Estonian leaders and participated in a summit of the Northern, Baltic, and Eastern European countries (NB8).

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Ukraine is ready. We will see when Russia is ready.

In a separate development, Bulgaria's new Defense Minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, announced the country's intention to halt arms supplies to Ukraine. Stoyanov suggested that Ukraine requires more personnel than weapons and called for a "just peace" determined by the conflicting parties themselves. This stance aligns with that of Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who previously served as president and has been critical of the EU's continued military support for Ukraine, advocating for the lifting of sanctions against Russia due to their impact on the European economy. While Bulgaria has not directly supplied arms, ammunition from the country has been channeled to Ukraine through other EU member states.

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Ukraine needs more people, not weapons.