Blinken: No Ukraine ceasefire without peace deal including Russia’s withdrawal

US secretary of state Antony Blinken delivers a speech at Helsinki City Hall, Finland (Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva via AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said there can be no ceasefire in the war in Ukraine unless it is part of a “just and lasting” peace deal that includes Russia’s military withdrawal.

Mr Blinken said that “a ceasefire that simply freezes current lines in place” – and allows Russian President Vladimir Putin “to consolidate control over the territory he has seized, and rest, rearm, and reattack – that is not a just and lasting peace”.