Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed skepticism about the prospects for a ceasefire. At the Warsaw Security Forum, he said Russia had repeatedly rejected proposals for de-escalation.

　　"Russia is not interested in a ceasefire, or in de-escalation or peace," Tusk said, adding that European countries should have no illusions about Moscow"s intentions.

　　Tusk also called for further strengthening sanctions against Russia.

　　Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that there were currently no signs Russia was ready to end the conflict, as Russian President Vladimir Putin remained convinced he could achieve victory.

　　Nevertheless, Rinkevics said that a U.S.-brokered energy ceasefire, if successfully implemented, would benefit all sides. Europe should continue providing military and financial assistance to Ukraine and help the country prepare for the coming winter, he added.

　　Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, however, welcomed the ceasefire. He described the announcement as an opportunity to restore dialogue and move toward peace, while accusing European officials of prolonging the conflict through continued military assistance to Ukraine.

　　DIESEL AGREEMENT DRAWS CRITICISM

　　European criticism also focused on Washington"s agreement with Moscow on diesel supplies.

　　German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that the U.S.-Russia diesel agreement was "out of the question" for Germany and Europe.

　　Russia would only negotiate seriously under pressure, he said. Germany would maintain its sanctions against Moscow, and he called for tougher measures following continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.