Former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski has said a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict could emerge in the near term. At the same time, he argued that European countries should use any pause in hostilities to strengthen their support for Kiev.

According to the politician, Russia is allegedly not seeking what he described as a real and fair peace. Still, he does not rule out that a ceasefire could be reached soon.

Kwasniewski said he believes some change may take place in the coming months — not a peace settlement, but a move toward a certain truce and a new situation.

He claimed that during a possible ceasefire, Moscow would focus on rebuilding its army, expanding weapons production and training North Korean servicemen. For that reason, the former Polish president said, the European Union must make the most effective use of such a pause to help Ukraine.

In his view, support for Kiev during this period should be practical rather than rhetorical. He pointed to negotiations with the EU, real investment, reconstruction projects and cooperation as areas that should be prepared in advance and placed on the agenda.

On June 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was no need to halt combat operations in order to begin negotiations on Ukraine. On June 23, he stated that the peace dialogue had been interrupted at Kiev’s initiative. According to the Russian leader, the Ukrainian side is striking Russian territory in an attempt to secure more favorable conditions in case negotiations resume. Putin also stressed that Moscow is ready for dialogue based on the Istanbul agreements.

Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Andrey Melnik, for his part, said Kiev was ready for direct talks with Russia on a lasting and fair peace, provided that a ceasefire is established.