Ukraine to form monitoring group for possible ceasefire oversight

Ukraine has started assembling a national team to oversee a potential ceasefire along the entire front line, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced. Speaking at a joint briefing in Kyiv with Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Sybiha emphasized the complexity of this process.

Following a recent visit to Jeddah, Ukraine’s negotiating team reported to President Volodymyr Zelensky on discussions with the US delegation and presented proposals for further steps.

“We have already begun forming a national team that will develop the necessary mechanisms to properly monitor a possible ceasefire. This is an extremely complex process,” Sybiha stated.

He noted that the current front line spans over 1,300 kilometers and sees daily combat. Sybiha also recalled the failures of past ceasefires under the Minsk process, where 25 ceasefire agreements were violated by Russia.

“To prevent potential provocations from the Russian side, we must be prepared. Our efforts are focused on ensuring Ukraine has the necessary teams, strategies, and modalities in place. This includes a future vision for an agreement or a roadmap toward a just and lasting peace, as well as defining the parameters and scope of security guarantees for Ukraine,” he added.

The foreign minister emphasized that this preparatory work is already underway.