Russia Faces Growing Pressure for Ceasefire

March 17th, 2025

Dhruv Arun

As the war in Ukraine continues, the international community has ramped up efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. British prime minister Keir Starmer, after hosting a virtual with a “coalition of the willing,” announced that Russia's response to the proposed ceasefire of the United States was “not good enough”. The summit, which included global leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gathered at the meeting for the sole goal of increasing pressure on Russia to ensure a peace agreement was viable.

Starmer noted that the “ball was in Russia’s court,” adding that Putin must prove he is serious about peace by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms. The proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has accepted, is intended to create a window for genuine peace negotiations. However, Russia has set conditions for the ceasefire, including halting Western military aid to Ukraine, which complicates the situation even more than it already is. Surprisingly, Zelenskyy rejected these preconditions, stating that the path to peace “must begin unconditionally,” and emphasized that a ceasefire could only happen if Russia agrees without conditions. He also urged the international community to apply stronger pressure on Russia, believing that “Moscow understands one language”. Furthermore, Zelenskyy insisted that any peace agreement has to include security guarantees, and he has repeatedly supported the idea of European peacekeepers on Ukrainian soil with a U.S. backstop.

Despite Ukraine’s clear stance on the ceasefire, Russia has continued to delay negotiations. Putin’s reluctance to accept the ceasefire proposal, instead demanding a stronger military position before agreeing, has been hindering peace efforts. Because of this, Starmer criticized Russia’s actions, accusing them of “dithering and delay,” and warned that Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine contradicted its stated desire for peace. The international community’s resolve remains strong, with military planners set to meet in the U.K. next week to discuss plans for Ukraine’s future security. The “coalition of the willing” has agreed to ramp up pressure on Russia by increasing military aid and tightening sanctions. Zelenskyy has also reaffirmed that Ukraine’s security and sovereignty must be protected and that any peace deal must guarantee this. While the U.S. plays a crucial role in mediating the ceasefire, the outlook remains uncertain. Starmer noted that “sooner or later, Putin will have to come to the table” . The next few days will certainly be critical in determining whether the international community can secure a peace deal or whether this war will continue.