Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he supports a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine but has raised concerns about its details, calling for further discussions with the United States to clarify how the plan would work.
Putin made his first comments on the plan, which Ukraine agreed to on Tuesday at talks with the United States, saying he was “for” the proposed ceasefire, but that “there are nuances” and he had “serious questions” about how it would work.
The United States has called for Russia to agree to a ceasefire without any conditions. Still, Putin raised several objections: “I think we need to talk to our American colleagues… Maybe have a telephone call with President Trump and discuss this with him.”
Putin said a ceasefire was “the right idea”, but would benefit Ukraine at a point when its troops are suffering setbacks while Russia is rapidly capturing territory. He also questioned how a ceasefire would be monitored along a front line measuring thousands of kilometres.
After visiting a military headquarters in the Kursk region, the Russian president hailed his troops’ progress against Ukraine, saying they were “advancing in practically all areas” of the front line.
He said that “based on how the situation on the ground develops, we will agree on the next steps on ending the conflict and reaching agreements acceptable to all”.
Putin said on Thursday: “We agree with proposals to cease hostilities, but on the basis that cessation would lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of the crisis.”
Russia has already ruled out accepting foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire or long-term security guarantee for Kyiv.
