“Logic tells us pressure must be applied to the aggressor until he feels the pain and backs down from goals that are unattainable,” Sikorski told reporters on arrival for talks with his French, German, Italian and Spanish counterparts, plus Britain’s David Lammy and EU foreign‑policy chief Josep Borrell in a format known as the Weimar+ Group.
London huddle after Kyiv visit
The so‑called "Big Five" foreign ministers are meeting two days after their leaders joined Britain’s Keir Starmer in Kyiv to urge Moscow to halt hostilities from Monday and open peace talks.
Some 30 other nations endorsed the initiative by video link, and U.S. President Donald Trump voiced support.
Sikorski said he hoped to “spell out precisely, with Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiha, what Russia must do for the war to end.” He accused President Vladimir Putin of sacrificing “tens of thousands of soldiers to capture one or two villages” and called the conflict “criminal.”
Competing proposals
Putin on Sunday offered direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul “without pre‑conditions” but did not mention a ceasefire.
European leaders dismissed the offer as a stalling tactic, noting that Ukraine accepted a U.S.‑brokered truce more than a month ago while Russian strikes continued.
“If Moscow again rejects the ceasefire, the logical conclusion is that pressure must be exerted not only on the victim but on the perpetrator until he wises up,” Sikorski said.
The London discussions will focus on military aid, tougher sanctions and long‑term security guarantees for Ukraine, diplomats said. A joint statement is expected later on Monday.
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Source: PAP, The Guardian
Click on the player icon above for an audio report by Michał Owczarek.