**US Develops Plan to Monitor Ceasefire in Ukraine, Reports WSJ**
The United States has shared a draft concept for monitoring a potential ceasefire in Ukraine with European and Ukrainian officials in Paris. This move comes as international pressure mounts on Russia to halt its attacks on Ukraine.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which broke the story, the US indicated that it has developed a plan for how a comprehensive ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia might be monitored if one can be achieved. The details of the monitoring plan were not disclosed, but officials from the three countries met in Paris on April 17 to discuss a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine.
**US Officials Meet with European Counterparts**
The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak. While the details of the discussions were not released, Rubio acknowledged that the issue of security guarantees had been discussed, but did not want to speak publicly about any proposals.
This development comes as Ukraine continues to suffer under Russian attacks. In recent days, there have been reports of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Mariupol.
**US Plan Not a Final Settlement**
According to an unnamed US official, the plan developed by the US is not a final settlement and would require further discussion with Kyiv. European allies also made it clear that they would not recognize occupied territories as Russian.
**European Officials Push for More Guarantees**
Members of the France and U.K.-led “coalition of the willing” have urged the US to back European assurance forces with additional security guarantees in order to effectively deter further Russian aggression after a ceasefire. However, until now, the US has not offered any such guarantees.
**Ukraine-Ukraine Swap Announced**
In other news from Ukraine, a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia was announced on April 18. The deal will involve the exchange of 246 prisoners from each side, as well as 46 injured soldiers.
**US Officials Meet in London Next Week**
European, Ukrainian, and US officials will meet again next week in London to continue discussions on a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine.
This article was originally published by the Kyiv Independent.
