War with Ukraine: Zelensky Slams Putin's Ceasefire Proposal as Manipulative
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Trump's ceasefire proposal praised by Putin, as conditions outlined - Trump's ceasefire idea acclaimed by Putin, with stipulations posed
In an unexpected turn of events, Russian President Vladimir Putin has linked his approval of a U.S.-proposed ceasefire in the ongoing war against Ukraine to certain conditions. At a much-anticipated press conference, he discussed the potential for a long-lasting peaceful solution to the conflict but held firm to his previously stated maximal demands. A meeting between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled for the evening in Moscow.
"We agree to the proposal to halt combat operations," said Putin, expressing his gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for the initiative to end the war. "But we assume that this halt should be such that it leads to a long-term peace and eliminates the causes of the conflict." However, clarity is needed regarding control over the ceasefire, with Putin expressing concerns about potential violations and blame-shifting by both warring parties. Moscow firmly rejects the deployment of European peacekeeping troops to secure a possible ceasefire.
Putin's Agenda for Ukraine
Putin also hinted that Ukraine could use the ceasefire to regroup, rearm, and recruit new soldiers to continue the war, a strategy he finds unacceptable. In response, Ukraine is wary that Russian forces might use the ceasefire as an opportunity to regroup. The Kremlin again emphasized its claims on Ukrainian territory, with the situation on the ground being a crucial factor in the negotiations. Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko agreed on this point during the Kremlin press conference.
Territorial Disputes
The Moscow leadership demands that Ukraine completely evacuate the territories that Russia has declared part of its state - Luhansk, Donetsk, Saporischschja, and Cherson. The remaining part of Ukraine should be largely disarmed, according to Russian plans. Additionally, Russia's propaganda advocates for the "denazification" of Ukraine, which is understood as the installation of a Moscow-friendly government in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky labeled Putin's reactions as "manipulative." "We've heard the predictable, manipulative words of Putin from Russia (...)," Zelensky said in his evening video address on Thursday. He urged intensifying efforts to put pressure on Russia.
Ukraine seeks far-reaching security guarantees for a long-lasting peace. The U.S., however, has no intentions of assuming such commitments but sees the Europeans as responsible for this. The governments of France and the UK are currently driving discussions on plans to send peacekeeping troops from European countries.
Kremlin's Confidence
During the press conference, the Kremlin leader appeared optimistic about victory. The situation on the frontline is changing rapidly, Putin stated, with it favoring the Russian troops. In particular, in the western Russian region of Kursk, the situation is now fully under Moscow's control, Putin asserted after a visit there the previous day. Ukrainian troops had captured land there in the summer with a surprise counterattack, marking the first time the war reached Russian soil.
However, the Ukrainian troops stationed there are now in distress. The Russian military has just retaken the town of Sudscha, Putin said, citing reports from Russian generals. Sudscha was the largest town that the Ukrainians had taken last year.
Putin presented the Ukrainian soldiers in the western Russian region of Kursk with a choice: surrender or die. The situation in Kursk is "fully under our control, and the group that has infiltrated our territory is isolated," Putin said in Moscow. The Ukrainian soldiers are trapped within the invasion zone. "And if a physical blockade is established in the coming days, no one will be able to leave the area. There will then be only two options: to surrender or to die." The Ukrainian military leadership denies that its soldiers are surrounded. According to the Ukrainian general staff, five Russian attacks were repelled, and fighting continued at four locations.
Trump's Response to Putin
US President Donald Trump views Putin's statements as promising. "But it wasn't complete," Trump says during consultations with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington. He expresses a desire for a ceasefire, Trump adds. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is engaged in serious talks with the Russian side about ending the war. According to media reports, a meeting between Witkoff and Putin is planned for the evening. "Hopefully, they do the right thing," Trump says, gaze fixed on the Russian leadership. He doubts that Russia would attack allies of the US. "That won't happen. We'll make sure it doesn't happen."
The plan for a 30-day ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea in the Ukraine war comes from the government of US President Trump. It is the first such proposal in more than three years of the Russian invasion of the neighboring country. In talks in Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and security advisor Mike Waltz managed to convince Ukraine to accept the proposal. The ceasefire would apply if Moscow also adheres to it.
US Envoy Heads to Moscow for Talks
Kiev had initially pursued the European idea of first stopping mutual air strikes and sea attacks, which would be easier to verify. In exchange for Ukraine's agreement to the U.S. plan, Washington resumed suspended weapons deliveries and began supplying Ukraine with U.S. intelligence data.
US envoys made their way to Moscow for talks on Thursday, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov announced. According to him, Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov and security advisor Waltz discussed the war the previous day. Peskov did not provide details. He announced an "international telephone call" by Putin, without giving details. A further conversation with Trump is expected.
So far, Russia has consistently rejected a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, insisting on resolving the conflict comprehensively. Moscow cites NATO's eastward expansion and the possibility of Ukraine joining the western alliance as the root cause.
Hint: This article has been updated multiple times.
- Ceasefire
- Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin
- Donald Trump
- Russia
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- The European Union, in its commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria, is cautiously observing the ongoing ceasefire discussions between the Ukrainian government and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- In contrast to the Ukrainian soldiers stationed in the western Russian region of Kursk, Witkoff, the American special envoy, is preparing to travel to Moscow for serious talks regarding the proposed ceasefire in Ukraine.
- Hopefully, a reasonable agreement can be reached, as Donald Trump has expressed his desire for a ceasefire, with the plan for a 30-day ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea in the Ukraine war coming from the government of US President Trump.
