Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that Moscow was in favour of the precept of a ceasefire within the conflict in opposition to Ukraine, as proposed by the Donald Trump administration in the US, however raised questions he stated the Kremlin wanted solutions to earlier than it may decide to a truce.
He stated Russia wanted to debate these questions and the phrases of a peace proposal with the US.
His feedback, the primary on the proposed ceasefire, drew criticism from Ukraine and a muted response from Trump, who has oscillated between expressing confidence in Putin’s dedication to a peace deal and threatening Russia with new sanctions if it doesn’t conform to a ceasefire.
Here’s what Putin stated, the circumstances he laid out for Moscow to again a ceasefire, and the way the US and Ukraine have reacted to his current assertion:
What’s the US-Ukraine ceasefire deal?
On Tuesday, groups representing Washington and Kyiv met in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah to barter phrases for peace in Ukraine.
After this assembly, the 2 international locations launched a joint assertion, proposing an “instant, interim” 30-day ceasefire on the conflict entrance.
The assertion positioned emphasis on “the alternate of prisoners of conflict, the discharge of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian kids” throughout the ceasefire interval.
The doc didn’t point out sanctions on Russia or safety ensures for Ukraine, but it surely did point out that Ukraine’s European allies could be “concerned within the peace course of”.
The doc additionally didn’t specify what would occur with the Ukrainian troopers in Russia’s Kursk.
What did Putin say concerning the ceasefire?
Nothing, for nearly two days.
Then, on Thursday, at a information convention alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin responded to the ceasefire proposal.
He stated the concept of a ceasefire was “right” and Russia supported it, in precept. “We agree with the proposals to stop hostilities,” he informed reporters in Moscow.
However, he added, “there are points that we have to talk about, and I feel that we have to speak about it with our American colleagues and companions, and, maybe, have a name with President Trump and talk about it with him.”
What ‘points’ does Putin need resolved earlier than a ceasefire?
The Russian president outlined three questions and recommended that resolving them in a way passable to Moscow could be preconditions for the Kremlin to just accept a ceasefire.
How will the Kursk incursion play out?
The primary query Putin posed pertains to Ukrainian troops within the Russian area of Kursk.
In August final yr, the Ukrainian military launched a shock incursion into Kursk, seizing territory.
Whereas the Russian military has now reclaimed 1,100 sq. km (425 sq. miles) of Kursk – nearly the entire space that Ukrainian forces had grabbed – Kyiv’s troops are nonetheless current.
“Will all those that are there come out and not using a battle? Or will the Ukrainian management get them organized to put down arms and give up?” Putin questioned.
Will Ukraine mobilise troops and obtain new weapons throughout the ceasefire?
Putin additionally recommended {that a} 30-day ceasefire might be utilized by Ukraine to mobilise new forces at a time when its troops are going through setbacks not simply in Kursk but in addition in japanese Ukraine, the place Russia has made gradual, grinding features in current months.
In the course of the information convention, Putin stated “Russian troops are advancing in nearly all areas of the entrance… So how will these 30 days be used? For pressured mobilisation to proceed in Ukraine, for weapons to be delivered there, for the newly-mobilised items to be skilled? … How can we and the way will we be assured that nothing like that can occur? How will management be organised?”
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s overseas coverage adviser, additionally stated on Thursday that the 30-day pause in combating would solely assist Ukrainian troops regroup, deeming the ceasefire a “short-term respite” for the Ukrainian military.
In current months, Ukraine has suffered manpower shortages. In January, Ukrainian troops retreated from Kurakhove, a city in Ukraine’s Donetsk area, when Russian troops claimed management.
Who will confirm the ceasefire?
Putin additionally questioned how the ceasefire could be monitored and who would be certain that each events are following the settlement.
“We proceed from the truth that this cessation needs to be such that it could result in long-term peace and eradicate the unique causes of this disaster,” he stated.
“Who will give orders to cease hostilities? … Who will decide the place and who has violated a attainable ceasefire settlement for two,000 kilometres (1,243 miles)?”
How has the US reacted?
Putin’s feedback got here shortly after US President Donald Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Russia to fulfill with Putin and different Russian officers. Though Witkoff is formally Trump’s Center East envoy, he has additionally been concerned in Russia relations.
Final month, he turned the primary high-level US official to journey to Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Throughout this go to, he secured the discharge of Marc Fogel, an imprisoned American, in alternate for the US releasing imprisoned Russian Alexander Vinnik. Witkoff was additionally a part of the US workforce throughout negotiations with Russian officers in Saudi Arabia.
On Thursday, originally of a gathering with NATO Secretary-Common Mark Rutte, Trump stated that Putin had launched “a really promising assertion, but it surely wasn’t full”.
“Now we’re going to see whether or not or not Russia’s there. And in the event that they’re not, it’ll be a really disappointing second for the world.”
Additionally on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed CNBC that Trump is “keen to use most strain on either side”, together with sanctions on Russia.
For the reason that starting of the conflict in February 2022, the US and its allies have imposed no less than 21,692 sanctions on Russia, concentrating on people, media organisations, the army sector, power sector, aviation, shipbuilding and telecommunications, amongst different sectors.
Final week, the US briefly suspended army help and intelligence sharing to Ukraine, after a White Home assembly between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spiralled into acrimony.
The help and intelligence sharing had been restored after the US and Ukraine collectively agreed on the 30-day ceasefire settlement in Jeddah.
How has Ukraine reacted?
In his nightly deal with posted on X on Thursday, Zelenskyy stated that Putin is “making ready to reject” the ceasefire proposal.
“Putin is afraid to inform President Trump straight that he desires to proceed this conflict and maintain killing Ukrainians,” stated Zelenskyy.
Marina Miron, a post-doctoral researcher on the defence research division of King’s Faculty London, stated it could make sense for Russia to stall on a call concerning the ceasefire.
“Till the ceasefire is carried out and everyone is on the identical web page, time will go, which can in all probability give the Russians the required time to no less than get Kursk again in order that it removes any potential negotiating bonuses for Ukraine,” Miron informed Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
In his deal with, Zelenskyy added: “Now could be the time to extend strain on him [Putin]. Sanctions have to be utilized – ones that can work.” The Ukrainian chief stated his nation is keen to proceed working with its US and European companions to additional the peace course of.
May the US and Ukraine settle for Russia’s peace phrases?
It’s unclear. However some consultants consider that Trump’s monitor document means that the US may attempt to accommodate Putin’s considerations. If that occurs, Ukraine might need no alternative however to just accept this.
“If previous efficiency is any information, [Russia’s] calls for will likely be backed by the US,” Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow on the London-based Chatham Home assume tank, informed Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
“I feel that the Trump administration has proven to Ukraine very clearly that Ukraine will not be going to dictate the principles after the debacle within the Oval Workplace,” Miron added.
