‘Peace in one region brings hope to another’: Ukraine on Gaza ceasefire

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday welcomed the Trump-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, saying it gave the world “renewed hope” that peace could also be achieved in Ukraine.

“When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions,” Zelensky wrote on social media, adding that the success in the Middle East proved “global leadership and determination” could also end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In a similar appeal, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged US President Donald Trump to turn his diplomatic efforts towards Russia, encouraging him to broker a deal that could stop the war in Ukraine.

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Speaking at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt, where Trump co-chaired talks following the Gaza ceasefire, Merz said: “We also hope that the American president will now use the influence he has exerted on the parties involved in the Middle East to work with us on the Russian government.”

The calls come after a landmark agreement ended two years of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, raising hopes that Washington could replicate similar results in Europe’s longest-running war since World War II.

The ceasefire in Gaza, mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, marked the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners after years of bloodshed. In Kyiv, Zelensky described the agreement as an “extraordinary moment” that should serve as a model for other conflicts.

Germany’s Merz, who was among the world leaders attending the Egyptian summit on the Middle East, said the breakthrough demonstrated the power of diplomacy when backed by international unity. He urged Trump to engage Moscow through a new round of negotiations aimed at ending hostilities in Ukraine.

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 The Ukraine conflict, now entering its fourth year, has displaced millions and left vast regions in ruins. Despite multiple attempts at talks, no lasting ceasefire has been achieved since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Both Zelensky and Merz expressed optimism that renewed American involvement could help break the deadlock, particularly after Trump’s success in negotiating the Gaza truce.

As of Monday, Washington has not confirmed any new diplomatic initiative for Ukraine, though officials say the peace momentum generated in the Middle East could influence future U.S. engagement in Europe.
(With AfP inputs)