Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed conditional support for a U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that while the initiative was fundamentally sound, it required significant clarifications to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
The war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, widespread displacement, and the devastation of towns, marking the most severe confrontation between Moscow and the West in decades.
Putin’s cautious endorsement of the U.S. proposal appeared to signal a willingness to engage in dialogue with Washington, particularly with U.S. President Donald Trump. Given that Ukraine has already agreed to the proposal, diplomatic engagement between the Kremlin and the White House could present a viable path toward resolving Europe’s most intense conflict since World War II.
Putin’s Stance on Ceasefire
“We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities,” Putin stated during a Kremlin press conference following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. “The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it.”
However, he stressed that any cessation of hostilities must ensure long-term peace and resolve the root causes of the crisis. “But we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and would eliminate the original causes of this crisis,” he added.
Putin highlighted several unresolved issues and acknowledged Trump’s efforts to broker peace. Trump, who has emphasized his role as a peacemaker, welcomed Putin’s statement, describing it as “very promising” but incomplete. He urged Moscow to “do the right thing.”
Trump also disclosed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was engaged in serious discussions with Russian officials in Moscow regarding the ceasefire proposal.
Skepticism from Ukraine and the West
Kyiv is likely to view Putin’s response as a strategic maneuver to buy time while Russian forces continue their military operations. Ukrainian troops are under increasing pressure, with Russia consolidating control over nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory and making advances since mid-2024.
Western nations and Ukraine have consistently condemned Russia’s invasion as an expansionist land grab, vowing to resist Moscow’s military ambitions. Putin, however, frames the conflict as part of a broader existential struggle against Western hegemony, accusing NATO of encroaching on Russia’s sphere of influence following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Concerns Over US-Russia Relations
European leaders have voiced concerns that Trump might negotiate a broad geopolitical arrangement with Putin, potentially involving China, global energy prices, Middle East dynamics, and Ukraine.
Putin reiterated that Russian forces were advancing along the frontlines and emphasized that any ceasefire must not be exploited by Ukraine for regrouping. “How can we and how will we be guaranteed that nothing like this will happen? How will control (of the ceasefire) be organised?” he questioned. “These are all serious questions.”
Acknowledging the need for further discussions, Putin suggested that a direct conversation with Trump might be necessary. “There are issues that we need to discuss. And I think we need to talk to our American colleagues as well,” he stated.
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Ongoing Military Developments
The U.S. recently resumed weapons supplies and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, following Kyiv’s announcement at talks in Saudi Arabia that it was prepared to back a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Russian forces have intensified their offensive in the Kursk region, targeting Ukrainian troops that had breached the border last August in an effort to divert Moscow’s attention from the eastern front.
According to Russian military sources, Ukraine’s hold on the Kursk region has been significantly reduced, shrinking from 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) at its peak last summer to less than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) today. In a rare move, Putin was seen wearing a camouflage uniform while visiting a command post in the region, signaling direct involvement in battlefield assessments.
Russian Conditions for a Broader Deal
Beyond the ceasefire talks, Russia has reportedly presented Washington with a set of demands aimed at ending the war and resetting bilateral relations. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, when asked about these reports, said the U.S. was well aware of Moscow’s stance. Before Putin’s remarks, Ushakov had dismissed the U.S. proposal as offering Russia “nothing.”
Putin also extended an invitation for Western companies to return to Russia, though he noted that domestic businesses had largely taken over their market positions. “To those (companies) who want to return, we say: Welcome, welcome at any moment,” Putin said, repeating the English word “welcome.”
Additionally, he suggested that a potential agreement with Washington on energy cooperation could facilitate the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, a market Russia largely lost due to the war.
