Ukraine and its Western partners have agreed that the future ceasefire agreement will include a mechanism for a joint military response by Europe and the US in the event of continued violations by the Russian side, writes the "Financial Times" (FT), BTA reported.
According to the British publication, this plan was discussed between representatives of Ukraine, Europe and the US at several meetings that took place in December and January.
The proposal envisages a response within 24 hours to any possible violation of the ceasefire by Moscow. Initially, a diplomatic warning will be issued, and then, if necessary, the Ukrainian army will take measures. If the enemy actions go further, a second phase of intervention will be activated with the participation of forces from the so-called Coalition of the Willing, which includes countries from the EU, Britain, Norway, Iceland and Turkey, the "Financial Times" also writes.
The allies have agreed that if Russia launches an expanded attack, they will give a coordinated response with the participation of the US military 72 hours after the initial violation, the newspaper adds.
Representatives of Kiev, Moscow and Washington will meet tomorrow in Abu Dhabi for consultations on ending the war.
The next round of trilateral talks between Moscow and Kiev, mediated by the US, will be held in Abu Dhabi from February 4 to 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, quoted by Reuters.
So far, the two sides have managed to reduce their differences on some issues, but have not have made similar progress on the most complex issues. The Kremlin has nothing to add regarding the cessation of attacks on Ukrainian energy, Peskov said. Russia is trying to de-escalate tensions around Iran and has long offered its help in storing or processing Tehran's enriched uranium, Peskov stressed.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said, amid threats by US President Donald Trump of military intervention in Iran, that the Islamic Republic had not received "ultimatums" from the US to reach an agreement on its nuclear program. Tehran "always acts seriously and honestly in diplomatic processes, but (our country) never accepts ultimatums", Baghai stressed. "Therefore, such a statement cannot be confirmed". Trump had earlier said the Islamic Republic "wants to make a deal."
Russia prefers to continue with strikes rather than engage in diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after Moscow fired more than 70 missiles and 450 drones into Ukraine overnight, AFP reported.
"Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize the population is more important for Russia than choosing diplomacy," he told "Ex". Russian forces fired "a total of more than 70 missiles and sent 450 combat drones" into Ukraine overnight.