France & Germany advocate early ceasefire in Ukraine; call for new European body

European superpowers Germany and France want an early ceasefire in Ukraine that will allow negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow to conclude to achieve peace, French President Emmanuel Macron said as he spoke to his German counterpart, Olaf Scholz. Till now, warring sides have held five rounds of talks but failed to achieve a definite ceasefire. On Monday, Macron proposed that he was rey to assist Zelenskyy ministration in negotiation. 

"What we want to achieve is an early cease-fire that will allow bringing to an end negotiations that have begun between delegations of Russia and Ukraine to achieve peace and a sustainable withdrawal of Russian troops. That is our goal. We want to help Ukraine negotiate on terms it will determine," Macron said during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, ding that only way to achieve peace is "at a negotiating table with both Russia and Ukraine taking part."

Formation of European Political Community

While Kyiv has not been accepted into 27-member European Union yet, French president said that he would, along with Scholz, discuss with Zelenskyy formation of a discrete ‘European Political Community’ that would accept Ukraine fast. Previously, Macron h touted that it could take years for EU to accept Ukraine given its high accession standards.

On Monday, both Russia and Ukraine celebrated Victory Day marking triumph of allied coalition over Nazi Germany. While Zelenskyy’s speech largely focussed on ongoing war, Putin failed to even mention word Ukraine. On ground, intense fight raged in Ukraine's east as vital port of Odessa came under attack. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed that Russian forces have increased number of missile carriers in Black Sea. Ukrainian armed forces on May 4, h said that Russia h three missile carriers present in Black Sea, Kyiv Independent reported. However, Ukraine's Defence Ministry has reported that Russia has 7 Kalibr missile carriers in Black Sea. war has now continued for 11th week. 

(Image: AP)