Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned he agreed with the thought of a ceasefire in Ukraine, however that “questions” remained concerning the nature of a truce as he set out quite a few robust situations.
The Russian president was responding to a plan for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to earlier this week after talks with the US.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin’s response to the plan as “manipulative” and referred to as for extra sanctions on Russia.
In the meantime, the US positioned additional sanctions on Russian oil, fuel and banking sectors.
Talking at a information convention in Moscow on Thursday, Putin mentioned of the ceasefire proposal: “The thought is correct – and we help it – however there are questions that we have to talk about.”
A ceasefire ought to result in “an everlasting peace and take away the basis causes of this disaster”, Putin mentioned.
“We have to negotiate with our American colleagues and companions,” he mentioned. “Possibly I am going to have a name with Donald Trump.”
Putin added: “It is going to be good for the Ukrainian facet to attain a 30-day ceasefire.
“We’re in favour of it, however there are nuances.”
One of many areas of competition is Russia’s Kursk area, Putin mentioned, the place Ukraine launched a army incursion final 12 months and captured some territory.
He claimed Russia was absolutely again answerable for Kursk, and mentioned Ukrainian troops there “have been remoted”.
“They’re making an attempt to depart, however we’re in management. Their gear has been deserted.”
“There are two choices for Ukrainians in Kursk – give up or die.”
Outlining a few of his questions over how a ceasefire would work, Putin requested: “How will these 30 days be used? For Ukraine to mobilise? Rearm? Prepare folks? Or none of that? Then a query – how will that be managed?”
“Who will give the order to finish the preventing? At what price? Who decides who has damaged any attainable ceasefire, over 2,000km? All these questions want meticulous work from each side. Who polices it?”
Putin “would not say no immediately”, Zelensky mentioned in his nightly video tackle, however “in apply, he is getting ready a rejection”.
“Putin, after all, is afraid to inform President Trump immediately that he needs to proceed this warfare, needs to kill Ukrainians.”
The Russian chief had set so many pre-conditions “that nothing will work out in any respect”, Zelensky mentioned.
After Putin’s remarks and Zelensky’s response, there may be now a transparent divide between each side’ positions.
Ukraine needs a two-stage course of: a fast ceasefire after which talks a few longer-term settlement.
Russia believes you can’t separate the 2 processes and all the problems must be determined in a single deal. Either side appear content material to argue their variations.
Ukraine believes it could possibly put strain on Russia, portray it as a reluctant peacemaker, enjoying for time. Russia, equally, believes it has an opportunity now to boost its basic issues, about Nato growth and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
However this presents an issue for Donald Trump. He has made it clear he needs a fast consequence, ending the preventing in days.
And proper now, Putin doesn’t seem to wish to play ball.
Getty PicturesTalking on the White Home following Putin’s remarks, Trump mentioned he would “love” to satisfy the Russian chief and that he hoped Russia would “do the fitting factor” and conform to the proposed 30-day truce.
“We might wish to see a ceasefire from Russia,” he mentioned.
Talking earlier at a gathering within the Oval Workplace with Nato Secretary Normal Mark Rutte, Trump informed reporters he had already mentioned specifics with Ukraine.
“We have been discussing with Ukraine land and items of land that will be stored and misplaced, and the entire different parts of a remaining settlement,” Trump mentioned.
“Quite a lot of the small print of a remaining settlement have really been mentioned.”
With regards to Ukraine becoming a member of the Nato army alliance, Trump mentioned “everyone is aware of what the reply to that’s”.
The recent sanctions on Russian oil and fuel got here because the Trump administration additional restricted entry to US fee programs, making it more durable for different international locations to purchase Russian oil.
In the meantime, Putin met US particular envoy Steve Witkoff behind closed doorways in Moscow.
Earlier within the day, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov rejected the ceasefire proposal put ahead by the US.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin launched a video it mentioned confirmed Putin visiting Russia’s Kursk area, symbolically wearing army fatigues. Russia later mentioned it recaptured the important thing city of Sudzha.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Greater than 95,000 folks preventing for Russia’s army have died within the warfare.
Ukraine final up to date its casualty figures in December 2024, when President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged 43,000 Ukrainian deaths amongst troopers and officers. Western analysts imagine this determine to be underestimated.
