Ukraine calls for confidence-building measures as US defends war-ending approach

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss the ceasefire proposal on Tuesday

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India, on March 18. Reuters

Ukraine on Tuesday called for confidence-building measures as it prepared to implement a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, while the US defended its approach to ending the war.

The statements, made in separate sessions during the second day of the Raisina Dialogue conference in New Delhi, came just hours before a pivotal phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that could shape the fate of the US-backed truce.

“We need confidence-building measures,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said during a panel discussion, without elaborating.

“After Jeddah, we have gained new and swift opportunities to end this war this year, and we are ready for that. We are not the obstacle to achieving peace. Let’s see how the Russian side responds.”

Mr Trump has made ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict an early priority of his administration. On Friday, he expressed hope that Russia would accept a 30-day ceasefire, warning that if it did not, “it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world”.

He is scheduled to speak with Mr Putin on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in resolving the conflict. Mr Putin, speaking on Thursday, said he supported the idea of a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine but suggested direct talks with Mr Trump to determine what a pause in hostilities would achieve.

The upcoming call follows a recent meeting in Jeddah where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz met Ukrainian officials.

The discussions culminated in Kyiv accepting the ceasefire proposal, marking a significant development that appeared to repair strained US-Ukraine relations after a heated Oval Office meeting on February 28 between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.

Beside the US and Saudi Arabia, India has also positioned itself as a peacemaker and facilitator between Russia and Ukraine.

“We are ready to implement the outcomes of the Jeddah meetings,” Mr Sybiha affirmed. However, he insisted that Ukraine’s core principles remained unchanged.

“There will be no compromises on Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty. There will be no revisions to our military capabilities. No third country has the right to block our participation in any union or bloc. We will never recognise any territories occupied by Russia,” he said.

Shortly before his remarks, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard defended Mr Trump’s mediation efforts, portraying his approach as a critical step to preventing a potential third world war and nuclear escalation.

Mr Trump, she said, had made it a central goal of his administration to end the war in Ukraine “to stop the killing, to prevent the risk of World War III and nuclear wars”.

“Unfortunately, as we've seen throughout history, simply calling for peace too often invites attacks and smears,” Ms Gabbard added.

“President Trump remains unwavering in his commitment to achieving peace through a strategy rooted in realism and pragmatism,” she continued.

“Securing peace through strength requires strong leadership with a clear-eyed and realistic understanding of global challenges, as well as opportunities. It requires leaders to have the courage to engage directly with both friends and adversaries alike to increase understanding and resolve differences.”