MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated a cautious openness to discussing a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, though he expressed significant reservations about its implementation and potential consequences for the ongoing conflict.
Putin’s remarks, his first on the matter since Ukraine agreed to the plan during talks with the U.S. on Tuesday, suggested he was supportive of the ceasefire in principle but had “serious questions” about its practicalities. “There are nuances,” he added, emphasizing the need for further dialogue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin’s comments as “very manipulative,” alleging in his nightly address that the Russian leader is “actually preparing a refusal” to the proposal. Zelensky accused Putin of being unwilling to directly inform U.S. President Donald Trump of his intention to prolong the war.
The U.S. has urged Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, but Putin raised several objections, stating, “I think we need to talk to our American colleagues… Maybe have a telephone call with President Trump and discuss this with him.”
While acknowledging that a ceasefire is “the right idea,” Putin argued that it would disproportionately benefit Ukraine, which is currently facing military setbacks, while Russian forces are making rapid territorial gains. He also questioned how a ceasefire could be effectively monitored across a front line spanning thousands of kilometers.
Trump described Putin’s statement as “promising” but “not complete.” He added, “A lot of the details of a final agreement have already been discussed. Now we’ll see if Russia is serious. If not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world.” Trump expressed a willingness to meet or speak with Putin, stressing the need for a swift resolution.
During a visit to a military headquarters in the Kursk region on Wednesday, Putin praised his troops’ progress, claiming they were “advancing in practically all areas” of the front line. He stated that future steps toward ending the conflict would depend on the evolving battlefield situation, with the goal of reaching agreements acceptable to all parties.
As Trump pushes for a rapid resolution to the more than three-year-long conflict, his envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the ceasefire plan. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Witkoff would meet Putin once the president “gives the signal,” according to Russian news agencies.
Russia has been steadily advancing on the battlefield for over a year and claimed on Thursday to have driven Ukrainian forces out of the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. Despite Moscow’s gains, Trump remains optimistic about securing a ceasefire.
**Long-Term Peace and Security Concerns**
Putin reiterated on Thursday that Russia supports proposals to halt hostilities but only if they lead to “long-term peace” and address the root causes of the crisis. However, Moscow has already rejected the idea of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of any ceasefire or long-term security arrangement for Kyiv.
This stance conflicts with Ukraine’s request for European allies to deploy military “contingents” on its territory post-conflict to deter future Russian aggression. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated unequivocally, “It is absolutely unacceptable to us that army units of other states be stationed in Ukraine under any flag.” She warned that such a move would amount to “direct armed conflict” with Russia.
**Battle for Kursk**
Russia has reported significant advances in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border offensive last August and have held territory since. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have “liberated” Sudzha, along with two other settlements in the border area. Sudzha, with a pre-war population of around 5,000, was the largest settlement captured by Ukraine during its incursion into Russia.
The Kursk region has been one of Kyiv’s few bargaining chips in potential land swaps with Russia, which has occupied approximately 20% of Ukraine since its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, Ukraine now risks losing its foothold in the region entirely, having ceded significant territory in recent weeks, according to military analysts.
In response to the escalating situation, the Sumy region’s military administration in Ukraine ordered the mandatory evacuation of eight villages near the Kursk border on Thursday, citing “constant shelling by Russia” and a deteriorating operational environment.
Moscow’s recent gains in the region followed a temporary pause in U.S. intelligence-sharing and security support for Ukraine, though analysts and officials cautioned against drawing a direct link. Washington has since resumed its assistance to Kyiv ahead of the talks with Moscow.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the path to a lasting ceasefire remains fraught with challenges, with both sides deeply entrenched in their positions.
