Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his support for a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, backed by the United States, but emphasized that the terms need further negotiation. Putin stated that while he agrees with the idea of halting hostilities, the key to a lasting peace lies in addressing the root causes of the conflict.
At a press conference following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin said, “We agree with the proposal to cease hostilities, but we believe it’s important that this truce leads to long-term peace and resolves the underlying issues of the crisis.”
Putin highlighted the importance of further discussions, stating that talks with US officials would be necessary to clarify the details. “The idea itself is correct, and we support it, but there are still matters we need to discuss,” he added.
In response to Putin’s remarks, US President Donald Trump described the Russian leader’s statement as “very promising,” but pointed out that it was not fully detailed. Trump expressed a willingness to engage directly with Putin, while noting that US special envoy Steve Witkoff was already in Moscow discussing the ceasefire proposal.
Putin’s comments follow Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire plan after talks with US officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The United States also announced the resumption of military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv after a temporary pause.
Despite supporting a ceasefire, Putin raised several concerns, particularly regarding potential loopholes, including the need for assurances that the truce won’t allow Ukrainian troops in regions like Kursk to receive additional weapons. He also emphasized the importance of agreeing on the monitoring mechanisms for the ceasefire.
Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from Moscow, noted that Russia sees the ceasefire talks as a way to push for their demands in any long-term peace agreement. She also highlighted that Russia intends to address its concerns directly with the US president, signaling that Moscow’s approval of the ceasefire is contingent upon specific conditions being met.
This diplomatic effort comes amidst ongoing military action, with Russian forces continuing territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and reclaiming parts of the Kursk region, previously seized by Ukrainian troops. Analysts suggest that Ukraine had hoped to retain control over this region to strengthen its negotiation position, but Russia’s intensified military push has put this goal in jeopardy.
As the situation evolves, the international community remains watchful of the talks, hoping that a ceasefire could pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict.
