Ukraine, allies discuss ways to pressure Russia into 30-day ceasefire

FILE PHOTO: President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine, Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd and Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak applaud during a session of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad, Switzerland, June 16, 2024. ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine has discussed ways to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire with U.S., French, British and German senior officials, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's top aide said on Thursday, part of a flurry of diplomacy to try to end the war.

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, did not say when the online talks with U.S. special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, France's top diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne, Britain's national security adviser Jonathan Powell and Guenter Sautter, a top adviser to the German leader, took place.