"They're making us doubt it" - Senator Tim Kaine on Russia's interest in a ceasefire
Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Sumy, are making American politicians doubt Russia's interest in a ceasefire. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine made this statement in Kyiv on April 14, a Radio Liberty correspondent reports.
"I've looked at the recent actions on this issue, including by Russia, and it makes me skeptical of their behavior. I'm very interested in a ceasefire. The US would like that. Europe would like that. Ukraine deserves a ceasefire. Events, including yesterday’s strike, make me question the good faith of Russia’s interest in a ceasefire. But I hope I’m wrong, and they should demonstrate that I’m wrong. By demonstrating a genuine interest in achieving a ceasefire," he stressed.
Tim Kaine also added that this trip to Ukraine is not bipartisan due to the fact that it was organized at the last minute.
On April 13, at around 10:15 a.m., the Russian military launched two missile strikes on the city center of Sumy. Later, the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, said that the Russian troops used a missile with cluster munitions. According to the latest data, 35 people died in the attack , including two children. 120 people sought medical help: 105 adults and 15 children.
In recent weeks, there have been several meetings and phone calls between Ukraine and the United States, as well as separately between the Russian Federation and the United States, regarding a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine.
In particular, on March 11, US representatives managed to get Ukraine to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Russian President Putin did not reject this idea, but put forward his own conditions .
US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 11. The talks lasted more than four hours.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the parties will discuss "various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement," and the Kremlin intends to convey "the main elements of Russia's position and concerns" directly to US President Donald Trump.
Translated from Ukranian.