Negotiations between Russia and the United States on ending hostilities in Ukraine promise to be complex and lengthy. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that he is willing to discuss the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire but emphasized that there are “nuances” requiring “thorough analysis.” He particularly noted that Russian forces continue their offensive, and any agreement must consider the current battlefield situation.
Putin’s Position: A Ceasefire Is Possible, But on Russia’s Terms
As The Washington Post reports, Putin stated that Russia is open to a ceasefire but only if it leads to long-term peace, rather than serving as a temporary pause for Ukraine’s military. Among the possible conditions for a truce, he mentioned a ban on Western arms supplies to Ukraine and restrictions on Ukraine’s mobilization of new troops. Furthermore, the Russian president questioned the mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire, making it clear that negotiations will be lengthy and complex.
“The idea itself is the right one, and we certainly support it, but there are issues that need to be discussed,” Putin said. “We should talk to our American colleagues, maybe in a call with President Trump.”
Talks with Trump’s Envoy and the Kremlin’s Stance
Later on Thursday, Putin was scheduled to meet with Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Moscow to discuss the potential agreement. However, one of Putin’s senior aides, Yuri Ushakov, had already indicated that the ceasefire proposal was unacceptable in its current form.
“The proposed temporary ceasefire in Ukraine is nothing more than a reprieve for the Ukrainian military,” Ushakov told Russian state television.
According to Ushakov, Russia is interested in a long-term resolution but only on its own terms. He stressed that any pause in hostilities should not be an opportunity for Ukraine to regroup and rearm in preparation for further fighting.
Russia’s Military Offensive and Strategic Gains
While negotiations are underway, Russian forces continue their advance in the Kursk region, where the last remaining Ukrainian units are holding out. On Wednesday, Putin made a rare appearance in a camouflage uniform at a military command center, ordering an acceleration of operations to clear the region of Ukrainian forces.
“If we stop fighting for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone there gets to leave without a fight?” Putin questioned.
Russian military reports indicate that the operation to push out Ukrainian forces is in its final stages. On Thursday, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of Sudzha, the largest town previously under Ukrainian control. This deprives Kyiv of a crucial bargaining chip in negotiations, which are rumored to be facilitated by the Trump administration.
Russia’s Hardline Conditions for Peace
Despite discussions of a ceasefire, Moscow’s position remains rigid. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia has no intention of giving up any of the territories it has occupied, as it considers them part of Russia.
“Crimea, Sevastopol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk—these are regions of Russia. They are written into the constitution. This is a given fact,” Peskov stated.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova ruled out the presence of international peacekeepers in Ukraine, calling it an unacceptable foreign intervention.
“Russia does not accept the deployment of foreign armed forces in Ukraine,” Zakharova emphasized. “If this happens, Moscow will respond with all available means.”
What to Expect from Future Negotiations?
Experts suggest that prolonged negotiations over ceasefire terms will likely result in continued fighting and further loss of life. As The Washington Post highlights, this contradicts Trump’s stated goal of ending the bloodshed quickly. However, for Russia, delaying negotiations could provide an opportunity to capture more territory and strengthen its position ahead of any future peace agreement.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who attended the briefing with Putin, also pointed out the difficulty of agreeing to a ceasefire under current conditions.
“As Trump said, they hold high cards in their hands,” Lukashenko noted, referring to Russian military successes. “If Russia starts winning this game, then an agreement will be reached.”
Thus, while diplomatic efforts are underway, both sides remain far from reaching a compromise. Russia appears unwilling to make concessions and continues to push forward with its military objectives, making the prospect of an immediate ceasefire increasingly unlikely.
