On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed skepticism regarding the United States-brokered proposal for a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine war. While he stated that he supports the ceasefire in principle, he outlined stringent conditions and called for concessions from Kyiv. “We agree with the proposal to cease hostilities but we must consider that this ceasefire should aim for a long-lasting peace and address the root causes of the crisis,” Putin articulated during a news conference. This statement reiterates the Kremlin's previous assertions that the current Ukrainian government plays a significant role in the ongoing conflict.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated when Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, culminating in a full-scale invasion in 2022. At that time, Putin made it clear that he opposed Ukraine joining NATO and demanded that NATO reduce its military presence in Eastern and Central Europe. These requests were firmly rejected by the U.S. and its allies, who condemned Russia's actions as a blatant land grab.
In his recent statements, Putin suggested that Ukraine should cease its military mobilization and training of troops, and that other countries should halt their military support for Kyiv during the proposed ceasefire. This comes at a time when “Russian troops are advancing on almost all areas of combat contact,” raising concerns about the feasibility of a temporary truce. Although Putin acknowledged that the U.S. proposal is “great and correct,” he emphasized that numerous issues still require discussion. He even hinted at the possibility of reaching out to U.S. President Donald Trump about the situation.
The comments from Putin drew swift condemnation from Ukrainian officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of prolonging negotiations rather than outright rejecting the ceasefire proposal. “Putin, of course, is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians,” Zelensky criticized, labeling Putin’s response as “very manipulative.” On the same day, Trump described Putin’s remarks as “promising” but noted that they were not comprehensive. He expressed a desire to engage in discussions swiftly, emphasizing the urgency of the situation, as “every day, people are being killed.”
Alongside Putin, other Russian officials echoed concerns about the ceasefire proposal. They raised questions about the implications for Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces still occupy some areas, as well as how the ceasefire would be monitored and how Ukraine might exploit the 30-day truce. Kremlin aide Yuriy Ushakov stated that Moscow opposes a temporary ceasefire, arguing that it would merely provide a pause for the Ukrainian army. He outlined Russia's position during a phone call with U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, asserting that the ceasefire would only serve to benefit Ukrainian military efforts.
Following Ushakov's remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that these statements should not be interpreted as a rejection of the U.S. proposal. He indicated that Moscow is awaiting further details before making a definitive decision. Additionally, Ushakov noted that both the U.S. and Russia agree that NATO should not be part of the discussions surrounding Ukraine's future. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that there should be “no” foreign military presence in Ukraine, declaring it unacceptable to deploy foreign armed forces under any circumstances.
The ongoing conflict and the potential for a ceasefire continue to evolve. As discussions progress, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the various ways to establish a deterrent on the ground, including the possibility of European troops acting as peacekeepers. This situation remains dynamic, and further updates are expected as new information emerges.
This article is continually being updated as the situation develops. Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Matthew Chance and Jennifer Hansler.
