"No Airstrikes On Our Part": Zelensky Proposes Ceasefire With Russia - ndtv.com

**Zelensky Calls for a Conditional Ceasefire, Rules Out Ukrainian Airstrikes** In a televised address on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his willingness to negotiate a ceasefire with the Russian Federation, insisting that “there will be no airstrikes on our part.” The proposal, first reported by *NDTV*, stipulates that Kyiv would halt its aerial campaign over Russian‑held territories if Moscow agrees to an immediate humanitarian pause, a large‑scale prisoner‑of‑war exchange and the creation of a demilitarised corridor for civilian evacuations. Zelensky emphasized that the ceasefire is contingent on verifiable steps from Moscow, warning that any breach would resume full military operations.

The ceasefire overture arrives as a flurry of diplomatic activity unfolds in Moscow. Former White House adviser Jared Kushner and senior U.S. diplomat John Witkoff landed in the Russian capital this week, carrying a “road‑map” that aims to reduce hostilities and pave the way for a broader peace framework, according to *CNN*. Simultaneously, a delegation of former Trump administration officials, described by the *BBC* as “Trump envoys,” visited Moscow to explore back‑channel contacts with Russian officials ahead of an anticipated U.S. envoy trip to Kyiv. The timing coincides with the release of a robust U.S. jobs report highlighted by *The Economist*, underscoring the administration’s desire to project economic strength while pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Reactions to Zelensky’s ceasefire offer have been mixed. Moscow’s foreign ministry has neither accepted nor rejected the proposal, calling instead for “mutual confidence‑building measures.” Ukrainian opposition figures have warned that any concession on air power could embolden Russian forces, while European allies such as the EU and NATO have urged Kyiv to keep negotiations open but have reiterated support for Ukraine’s right to self‑defence. Analysts suggest that the convergence of Ukrainian diplomatic overtures and U.S. back‑channel initiatives could create a narrow window for de‑escalation, though the durability of any agreement will hinge on the enforcement mechanisms both sides are prepared to accept.