Moscow/New York: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly set a suspension of Western arms deliveries to Ukraine as a crucial condition for agreeing to a ceasefire, according to a Bloomberg report published on March 18, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The proposed 30-day truce is expected to be discussed in an upcoming phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, scheduled between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Moscow time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed.
Putin’s position was conveyed during a meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff last week, reaffirming the Kremlin’s long-standing demand that peace talks must include concrete security guarantees. This time, those guarantees come in the form of halting Western military aid to Ukraine.
Kremlin Pushes for a “Conditional Ceasefire”
According to a senior European official and three Moscow-based sources, Russia is open to a temporary ceasefire but insists that it must coincide with a freeze on Western military support for Ukraine.
Putin is said to have agreed in principle to Trump’s ceasefire proposal, but his support hinges on a suspension of arms deliveries. The Russian leader reportedly views this as a necessary step to build trust while keeping open the possibility of broader peace negotiations in the future.
Sources indicated that arms transfers could resume after the truce but under a revised framework designed to limit Ukraine’s military capabilities—an aspect likely to face resistance from Kyiv and European allies.
European leaders have expressed skepticism over Putin’s demand, warning that it could leave Ukraine vulnerable and provide Moscow with an opportunity to regroup and rearm.
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“It’s a temporary ceasefire with permanent consequences if Russia exploits the pause,” one European official told Bloomberg.
Despite these concerns, Washington appears to be weighing its diplomatic options. Trump has reportedly proposed an in-person meeting with Putin to further explore the ceasefire conditions, positioning it as a stepping stone toward a broader agreement.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on March 17 that President Trump remains prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia if necessary. This signals that while Washington is considering a peace initiative, its commitment to supporting Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Moscow remains in place.
