Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks throughout a joint information convention with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following their talks on the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, Thursday.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
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Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned Thursday he supported the final concept of a U.S.-backed ceasefire with Ukraine, however he listed a lot of circumstances that will have to be met.
“We agree with the proposals to halt the preventing, however we proceed from the belief that the ceasefire ought to result in lasting peace and take away the basis causes of the disaster,” he mentioned in a information convention.
The feedback got here as President Trump’s particular envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow to debate a ceasefire plan. It was two days after the U.S. and Ukrainian officers held talks in Saudi Arabia, during which Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal “to enact an instantaneous, interim 30-day ceasefire.”
However Putin mentioned a monthlong ceasefire may give Ukraine’s forces a an opportunity to retreat, regroup and rearm simply as Russia’s military gained the higher hand within the Kursk area, components of which have been captured by Kyiv final 12 months.
“Does that imply Ukraine will use these 30 days to proceed compelled mobilization, get weapons provides and put together its mobilized models?” the Russian president mentioned.
And Putin questioned how such a ceasefire could be enforced.
“Who will give orders to stop hostilities, and what is going to these orders be price?” he requested.
Earlier than Putin spoke, and giving a reminder of Russia’s stance because it launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin’s overseas coverage adviser, Yuri Ushakov, reiterated Russia’s calls for: Ukraine should acknowledge Russia’s annexation of Crimea and 4 southeastern areas, withdraw troops from lands claimed by Russia and pledge by no means to hitch NATO. He mentioned he “hopes [the United States] is aware of our place and desires to consider that they’ll take it under consideration as we work collectively going ahead.”
Moscow additionally seeks limits on Ukraine’s navy, protections for Russian audio system and elections to exchange Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In the meantime, Russian forces have reclaimed many of the territory misplaced in final summer season’s Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk area.
The U.S. restored navy assist to Ukraine after ceasefire talks Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. President Trump, pushing for a ceasefire, warned Russia of monetary penalties if Putin resists.
