Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine but has attached a series of demanding conditions that cast doubt on his intentions. His remarks follow Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, brokered in part by the United States.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described Putin’s stance as manipulative, Western leaders remain skeptical about whether Russia is truly interested in peace or merely buying time to regroup militarily.
A Conditional Ceasefire
During a press conference in Moscow, Putin acknowledged that the idea of a temporary ceasefire was right in principle, but he insisted that there were critical issues that needed to be addressed before any truce could take effect.
“We support the idea, but there are questions we must resolve first,” Putin stated. “A ceasefire should not be an empty gesture—it must create conditions for lasting peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.”
The Kremlin’s major concerns include:
- How the 30-day ceasefire would be enforced and monitored
- Whether Ukraine would use the truce to rearm and mobilize troops
- Who would oversee compliance and determine violations across a 2,000km front
One of the most contentious issues raised by Putin was the western Kursk region, where Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian incursion last August. He claimed that Russian troops had fully regained control of the area and that the remaining Ukrainian fighters had only two options: surrender or die.
Ukraine’s Response: “Putin is Playing for Time”
Zelensky wasted no time in dismissing Putin’s response, calling it a deliberate attempt to stall negotiations while maintaining an aggressive stance on the battlefield.
“He doesn’t reject the ceasefire outright, but in reality, he is setting conditions that make any real truce impossible,” Zelensky said in his nightly address. “Putin is afraid to admit he wants to continue this war, so he hides behind endless negotiations.”
Ukraine favors a two-step process: first, securing a ceasefire to stop the immediate bloodshed, followed by negotiations for a long-term settlement. In contrast, Russia insists that both must be resolved together in a single deal—a move that analysts believe is designed to keep Ukraine under pressure.
The Trump Factor: Pressure for a Quick Deal
With the US heavily involved in ceasefire negotiations, former President Donald Trump’s role has come under intense scrutiny. Trump has made it clear that he wants a swift resolution to the war, having publicly stated that he could end the conflict in days if reelected.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said:
“We’d like to see Russia do the right thing. We’ve been discussing with Ukraine which territories will be kept, lost, and the details of a final agreement.”
However, Putin’s reluctance to agree to an unconditional ceasefire suggests that Moscow is not prepared to play along with Trump’s urgency. Instead, Russia appears focused on using this moment to extract concessions from Ukraine and its Western allies.
Escalation Despite Ceasefire Talks
Even as ceasefire discussions dominate headlines, the war continues on the ground. On Thursday night, both Russia and Ukraine launched new drone attacks against each other.
Ukraine reported seven civilian injuries in Kharkiv, while Russian authorities confirmed a major fire at an oil facility in the city of Tuapse following a suspected Ukrainian strike.
Meanwhile, the US has imposed fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s oil, gas, and financial sectors, further tightening economic pressure on Moscow.
What Happens Next?
Putin’s carefully worded statements suggest that he is not fully rejecting a ceasefire but rather using it as a bargaining tool to reshape the terms of any future peace deal. The ongoing military strikes and hardline rhetoric from both sides indicate that a resolution is still far from certain.
The coming weeks will be critical. Will Ukraine and its allies force Russia into an agreement, or will Putin succeed in stalling the process while continuing military operations? The war’s next phase may depend on who blinks first.
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