Undersecretary of State Martin Griffiths gave the grim assessment in an interview with the Associated Press in the Ukrainian capital after talks with Prime Minister Dennis Smihal and other top officials. This was followed by talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow earlier in the week. “I think it will not be easy because the two sides, as I know now … have very little trust in each other,” he said. “I am not optimistic,” he added. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sent Griffiths to the Russian and Ukrainian capitals to investigate the possibility of a ceasefire that would allow much-needed assistance to Ukraine and possibly lay the groundwork for talks aimed at ending the conflict. Griffiths suggested that the goal went too far. “Obviously, we all want that to happen. “But as you know – you are here – this is not going to happen right away.” Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine just six weeks ago, on February 24. The fighting has displaced millions of people in the country and pushed more than 4 million Ukrainians to seek refuge abroad. The UN human rights office has recorded more than 1,400 civilians killed in the fighting, although the actual death toll is likely to be higher. Representatives of the two countries held several meetings via video link and in person, but these discussions did not end the fighting. Without a complete ceasefire, Griffiths said he was looking for ways to build trust on both sides and focus on smaller goals, such as establishing local trucks in parts of the country and building humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to escape the fighting. . “This war will not stop tomorrow,” he said. “What we are a little closer to is for both sides to understand … what a local ceasefire will affect. “There are many parts of Ukraine where we can achieve local ceasefires tomorrow, which are geographically and chronologically determined.” Aid supplies have begun to flow into some of the country’s most inaccessible areas, he noted. Russian troops have withdrawn from parts of Ukraine, particularly around Kyiv, in view of what many see as an intense boost in the east of the country. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba renewed his country’s call for more weapons from NATO countries on Thursday, noting the atrocities that have come to light in the city of Bukha and other areas from which Russian troops have withdrawn in recent days. Local ceasefires could mean progress even in areas without constant fighting, Griffiths said, because they demand that forces not be moved and therefore can not be regrouped elsewhere. Aid teams have found it difficult to bring supplies to those in need. Last week, members of a Red Cross escort were prevented from reaching the besieged city of Mariupol to help evacuate an escort of civilians. They were arrested at some point during their mission and eventually ended up escorting about 1,000 people who had found their own way out of Mariupol to a town further west. The vast majority of the 193 members of the UN General Assembly have twice called for an immediate end to hostilities in Ukraine on March 2 and 24. Griffiths said he expects to travel to Turkey in the next week or two for further talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire. This country, which shares a Black Sea coast with Russia and Ukraine, maintains ties with both and has been appointed as an intermediary for peace negotiations. He also expects to return to Moscow and described his most recent visit as the first round of talks. “Look, I’m used to the idea that a ceasefire, which is what I have a duty to try and achieve, takes time,” he said.
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