It is an illusion that one can put the question of a ceasefire aside and believe that the war will continue at the same time as one tries to achieve peace. It simply cannot happen, says Bildt to the British BBC shortly after the open part of Monday's summit in Washington was concluded.
Donald Trump has since he took office as president repeated that he wants to see an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, an idea that has been supported by both Ukraine's president Zelenskyj and European leaders. But after the Russian president Putin and Trump's meeting in Alaska, the American president has left his previous position.
Ceasefire was something that we knew Putin was against, and apparently Putin could convince Trump in Alaska that it was not a good way to go, says Bildt.
Bildt means that a ceasefire is the only way to peace, something that also several of the European leaders in Washington emphasized.
During Monday's meeting, the leaders will discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine. To the BBC, Bildt says that he hopes the leaders reach a detailed plan, at the same time as he emphasizes that security guarantees cannot come before a ceasefire.
