Report of Ukraine’s James Landare
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but said that the “question” had remained about the nature of the ceasefire as it showed many harsh conditions.
The Russian president was responding to plans for a 30-day ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky described Putin’s response to the plan as “manipulation” and called for more sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, the US has put further sanctions on Russia’s oil, gas and banking sectors.
At a press conference held in Moscow on Thursday, President Putin said of the proposal for a ceasefire:
A ceasefire should lead to “leading lasting peace and removing the underlying cause of this crisis,” Putin said.
“We need to negotiate with our American colleagues and partners,” he said. “Maybe I’ll call Donald Trump.”
Putin added: “It’s good that the Ukrainian side achieves a 30-day ceasefire.
“We stand for that, but there’s a nuance.”
One area of competition is the Kursk region of Russia, Putin said, where Ukraine began military invasions last year and acquired several territory.
He claimed that Russia had full control of Kursk, and said that the Ukrainian troops there were “isolated.”
“They are about to leave, but we are in control. Their equipment has been abandoned.”
“Kursk has two options for Ukrainians – surrender or die.”
Putin outlined some of his questions about how a ceasefire works and said, “How will these 30 days be used? For Ukraine to mobilize?
“Who will give orders to end the fight? At what cost? Who will decide who has broken a ceasefire that could exceed 2,000km? All of these questions require careful work from both sides.
Putin “he wasn’t saying no in person,” Zelensky said at his nightly video address, but “actually, he’s preparing to refuse.”
“Of course, President Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and kill Ukrainians.”
The Russian leaders had set so many preconditions “nothing goes well,” Zelensky said.
After Putin’s remarks and Zelensky’s reaction, there is a clear gap between both positions.
Ukraine wants a two-stage process. We hope for a quick ceasefire and then talk about a long-term settlement.
Russia believes that it cannot separate the two processes and that all issues must be determined in one transaction. Both sides seem satisfied with asserting their differences.
Ukraine believes it can put pressure on Russia. Similarly, Russia believes there is a chance to raise fundamental concerns about the expansion of NATO and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
But this is a problem for Donald Trump. He revealed that he hopes for a quick outcome and will end the fight in a few days.
And now, it seems Putin doesn’t want to play ball.
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Donald Trump said he wants Russia to “do the right thing”
Speaking at the White House following Putin’s remarks, Trump said he “loves” to meet Russian leaders, and hoped that Russia would “do the right thing” and agree to the proposed 30-day ceasefire.
“I want to see a ceasefire from Russia,” he said.
Trump told reporters he had previously spoken at an oval office meeting with NATO executive director Mark Latte, and had already discussed details with Ukraine.
“We’ve been discussing the land in Ukraine and the land that will be lost and all the other elements of the final agreement,” Trump said.
“Many of the details of the final agreement are actually being discussed.”
Regarding the subject of Ukraine joining the NATO military alliance, Trump said, “Everyone knows what the answer is.”
New sanctions on Russian oil and gas come as the Trump administration further restricted access to the US payment system, making it difficult for other countries to buy Russian oil.
Meanwhile, Putin meets a special mission, Steve Witkov, behind a closed room in Moscow.
Earlier that day, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov rejected the US-supposed ceasefire proposal.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin released a video showing Putin visiting the Kursk region of Russia. Russia later said it had recaptured the main town of Suda.
Russia began a full-scale invasion in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
More than 95,000 people fighting for the Russian army have been killed in the war.
Ukraine last updated its victim figures in December 2024. This admitted that President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted 43,000 Ukrainian deaths between soldiers and officers. Western analysts believe this figure is undervalued.
