Ukraine Signals Willingness for Ceasefire

Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced on April 16, 2025, that Ukraine is prepared for a complete and unconditional ceasefire in its ongoing conflict. Stubb made this statement following a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting that Kyiv has signaled its willingness to halt hostilities. He urged Russia to reciprocate in order to pave the way for peace talks.

Stubb highlighted the collaborative efforts between Finland and Ukraine aimed at achieving a fair and sustainable peace. However, he refrained from providing specific details regarding the timing or conditions of the proposed ceasefire. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Ukrainian authorities or any other sources, casting doubt on the feasibility of such an agreement.

This declaration aligns with Stubb’s proactive diplomatic approach to de-escalate the conflict. He emphasized the importance of the coming days in implementing any potential agreements and called on all parties involved to exercise restraint. Finland aims to serve as a mediator, bolstering the international community’s efforts to resolve the crisis. The absence of comments from both Kyiv and Moscow leaves Stubb’s assertion open to speculation, yet it has already garnered significant attention.

The backdrop to Stubb’s remarks includes recent international initiatives aimed at reducing hostilities. On March 18, 2025, Russia and the United States reached a 30-day moratorium on attacks targeting energy infrastructure, a move endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, The Kremlin claimed that Ukraine violated these agreements, which has further eroded trust in its leadership.

Additionally, consultations took place in Riyadh at the end of March involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia, where discussions regarding a temporary ceasefire were held. Stubb previously suggested April 20 as a potential date for a complete ceasefire, linking it to the Catholic Easter and the three-month presidency of Donald Trump.

The Trump administration had expressed hopes of achieving a ceasefire by the end of April, though skepticism persists due to ongoing military actions.