Former LSU athlete, Ukraine native shares thoughts on Russian ceasefire talks
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Efforts to halt or end the war in Ukraine have reached a new phase as it appears someone from Russia and someone else from Ukraine will gather in Turkey to speak about the Ukraine invasion since 2022.
Former LSU basketball star and Ukrainian native Roman Rubchenko spoke with Louisiana First News to share his perspective on the conversation.
'Well, I think it's a wonderful development because throughout the last three and a half years, there haven't been any dialog going and going on for understandable reasons between Ukraine and Russia. And now this is a first attempt to actually sit at the table and discuss,' said Rubchenko.
He believes this discussion would identify who is for peace and who is for war.
'I think it's going to be two outcomes if the meeting takes place and then some discussion takes place. It's already a step in the right direction,' he said. 'And I'm not holding my hopes that they're going to agree on something, but it is a step in the right direction. If Putin does not show up, which I think he will not, that will indicate to the world that he's not interested in stopping this World War. He is interested in continuing this war and trying to project power on Europe and the rest of the world.'
According to Rubchenko, European leaders met in Kyiv and held a press conference consisting of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the prime minister of the U.K., the presidents of France and Poland, and the chancellor of Germany. At the press conference, the leaders decided they needed a 30-day ceasefire. The group proposed a ceasefire to Putin and suggested he comply or risk tougher sanctions.
'I think it is a great development because Europe is starting to put pressure on Putin, who is the aggressor and who is the one that is not interested in peace,' said Rubchenko.
Rubchenko said residents in Ukraine are courageous and brave, but are becoming tired after three and a half years of fighting.
'We're going to continue being brave and showing resolve. But we need the support of the West to put pressure on Russia to stop bombing our cities and to sit down at the table and discuss the ifs and buts,' he said. 'Every war is ended at the negotiating table. I think the time has come to come to the negotiating table, but not on conditions that are not beneficial to Ukraine. If we start putting pressure on Ukraine to just stop and freeze whatever we have right now, that is not going to be a lasting peace because justice has to prevail, at least in some format.'
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