On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin‘s chief foreign policy advisor stated that the 30-day ceasefire suggested by the United States to halt the conflict in Ukraine would provide Russia with “nothing” while offering Ukrainian forces a crucial opportunity to regroup on the battlefield.
Since mid-2024, Russian troops have been making gains and now occupy nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, following the deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers into the neighboring country three years ago—a conflict that U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to end.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, arrived in Moscow on Thursday for discussions. Russian officials indicated that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz had shared specifics about the ceasefire proposal on Wednesday, and Russia was open to dialogue regarding it.
During a White House briefing on Wednesday, Trump expressed hope that the Kremlin would accept the U.S. ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine has indicated it would support. Yuri Ushakov, a former ambassador to Washington and a spokesperson for Putin on significant foreign policy matters, mentioned on Russian state television that he had communicated with Waltz on Wednesday to convey Russia’s stance on the ceasefire.
“I conveyed our view that this is merely a temporary pause for the Ukrainian military, nothing more,” Ushakov remarked. “It offers us nothing; it simply allows the Ukrainians to reorganize, regain strength, and continue their efforts,” he added, suggesting that the proposal should be revised to reflect Russia’s interests. However, Ushakov, who has been with Putin in the Kremlin since 2012, did not completely dismiss the U.S. proposal, noting that the president would likely address the media later on Thursday to elaborate on Russia’s position.
Ushakov stated that Moscow’s objective is “a long-term peaceful resolution that considers the legitimate interests of our nation and our well-documented concerns.”
He expressed that “no one requires actions that merely simulate peace in this context,” emphasizing his belief that European nations are attempting to portray Russia as opposed to peace, which he views as an inaccurate representation.
These comments from a high-ranking Kremlin official suggest that Putin, who has led Russia since 1999, believes that Russia’s military progress in Ukraine and western Russia positions Moscow favorably in peace discussions.
It remains uncertain how Trump will respond, especially after he expressed on Wednesday his hope that Moscow would agree to a ceasefire to halt the “bloodbath.” He also noted that during his first term, he had taken a firmer stance against Russia than previous presidents.
“I have the capability to implement financial measures that could severely impact Russia,” Trump remarked. “However, I prefer not to pursue that route because my goal is to achieve peace. I want to see peace, and we will see what happens. But financially, yes, we could take actions that would be extremely detrimental to Russia. It would be catastrophic for them.”
Trump has aimed to mend ties with Russia to prevent the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, which he warns could potentially lead to World War Three. At the same time, he has indicated the possibility of imposing additional sanctions while also suggesting that sanctions could be lifted if Moscow shows a willingness to conclude the war.
KREMLIN HARDBALL
Shortly after Trump’s remarks in Washington, the Kremlin released footage of Putin, clad in a green camouflage uniform, visiting the Kursk region in western Russia, where Ukrainian forces are expected to lose ground following a significant Russian offensive.
Putin, a former KGB officer, seldom dons military attire. The Kremlin stated that the supreme commander in chief felt it was necessary to wear military fatigues for this occasion.
On Tuesday, the United States agreed to resume the supply of weapons and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv expressed its readiness to support a ceasefire proposal during discussions in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the substantial financial aid from the U.S. and Europe, Russia has continued to make gains on the battlefield, pushing Ukrainian forces out of the western Russian region of Kursk.
In addition to the immediate ceasefire proposal, Russia has presented the U.S. with a series of demands aimed at reaching a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and resetting relations with Washington, according to two sources familiar with the situation. When asked about the Reuters report, Ushakov stated that Washington was aware of Russia’s stance.
In August, Ukraine launched a significant offensive into the Kursk region, marking the largest incursion into Russian territory since the Nazi invasion of 1941. This move aimed to distract Russian forces from eastern Ukraine, secure a strategic advantage, and embarrass President Putin.
Currently, Ukraine controls a small area of less than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) in Kursk, a reduction from the 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) it held at the height of the operation last summer, as reported by the Russian military.
Discover more from Defence Talks | Defense News Hub, Military Updates, Security Insights
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
