Putin Supports U.S. Ceasefire Proposal in Ukraine, With Conditions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his support in principle for the U.S. proposal of a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, though he emphasized that the terms must be discussed further to ensure lasting peace. During a press conference in Moscow on Thursday, Putin stated that while the idea of halting the fighting was correct, there are still several issues to be addressed, including how to control potential breaches of the ceasefire.

Putin also raised concerns about whether Ukraine could use the break to rearm. He stressed that the ceasefire must lead to a permanent peace, removing the root causes of the ongoing crisis. Putin’s comments came after the arrival of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow to engage in discussions with Russian officials regarding the ceasefire proposal.

Ukraine has already accepted the proposal, but Putin acknowledged that the U.S. had played a significant role in persuading Ukraine to accept a truce, largely due to the situation on the battlefield, particularly in the Kursk region, where Russian forces have been intensifying their efforts to oust Ukrainian troops. Despite this, Putin insisted that the ceasefire could not be a mere pause in hostilities, but a step toward a long-term resolution.

He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his attention to the situation and also recognized the efforts of China, India, Brazil, and South Africa in seeking to end the conflict. These countries are all geopolitically aligned with Moscow but also have their own interests.

As the talks progress, Putin reiterated that Russia would not accept peacekeepers from NATO countries to monitor any potential ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concerns over the ceasefire, fearing that Russia could use the pause to regroup and rearm its forces. Zelenskyy accused Russia of dragging its feet on the ceasefire proposal and criticized its delay tactics, even as Ukraine remains committed to moving quickly toward peace. He hopes that U.S. pressure will prompt Russia to halt its offensive actions.

The renewed diplomatic push, spearheaded by the U.S., has intensified after the Trump administration lifted its suspension on military aid to Ukraine, signaling a new commitment to addressing the crisis diplomatically. While Ukraine has shown interest in the ceasefire, it remains cautious, given Russia’s track record of using truces to regroup.

While the 30-day ceasefire proposal has gained some traction, the road to a lasting peace remains fraught with challenges. The Ukrainian military’s foothold in Russia's Kursk region continues to face pressure from Russian forces, backed by North Korean troops, complicating the situation further. Ukrainian officials have also acknowledged the ongoing battle for control of towns like Sudzha, which has been heavily impacted by Russian airstrikes. At the same time, European members of NATO are facing increasing pressure to raise their military spending and bolster their forces, in response to the growing security challenges posed by Russia’s actions.