FM Sybiha: Ukraine aims to end war this year, Putin seeks to prolong it

This was stated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha in an exclusive interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK, Ukrinform reports.

Sybiha said that Ukraine wants to end the war this year and will not stand in the way of this process. However, he noted that Russian leader Putin wants war, and that the world is waiting for a response from Moscow to the US proposal for an immediate temporary cessation of hostilities for 30 days.

The minister said that the Ukrainian national group will begin preparing a roadmap for monitoring the long front line, which is more than 1,300 kilometers long.

Sybiha also said that Ukraine will hold consultations with the United States and other countries, in part because the country may need international personnel to monitor the ceasefire.

Among other things, the official called Japan “the closest partner in Asia.”

He said that he would like to thank Japan for providing Ukraine with “constant, unwavering support since the first moments of Russia's brutal aggression.”

When asked what kind of support Ukraine expects from Japan the most, Sybiha said that his country needs help in rebuilding.

He called Japan “a true leader” and added that the recovery also opens up opportunities for Japanese companies.

As reported by Ukrinform, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that immediately after the meeting in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian side began working on algorithms of actions to properly monitor compliance with a possible truce, as well as modalities for future peace agreements.