Vladimir Putin units out circumstances for Ukraine ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned he agreed with the concept of a ceasefire in Ukraine, however that “questions” remained in regards to the nature of a truce as he set out quite a lot of powerful circumstances.

The Russian president was responding to a plan for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to earlier this week after talks with the US.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin’s response to the plan as “manipulative” and known as for extra sanctions on Russia.

In the meantime, the US positioned additional sanctions on Russian oil, gasoline and banking sectors.

Russian officers mentioned Putin was anticipated to carry talks on the ceasefire on Thursday night with US President Donald Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff, who had flown to Moscow earlier that day.

It isn’t clear whether or not that assembly truly befell. On Friday, Russia’s state-run media quoted the air site visitors monitoring web site Flightradar as saying the aircraft believed to be carrying Witkoff had left Moscow.

Moscow and Washington haven’t commented on the difficulty.

Late on Thursday and in a single day, each Russia and Ukraine reported new enemy drone assaults.

Ukraine mentioned seven folks – together with kids – have been injured within the north-eastern metropolis of Kharkiv.

Russia reported a big hearth at an oil facility within the southern metropolis of Tuapse.

Talking at a information convention in Moscow on Thursday, Putin mentioned of the ceasefire proposal: “The concept is true – and we help it – however there are questions that we have to focus on.”

A ceasefire ought to result in “a permanent peace and take away the foundation causes of this disaster”, Putin mentioned.

“We have to negotiate with our American colleagues and companions,” he mentioned. “Perhaps I am going to have a name with Donald Trump.”

Putin added: “It is going to be good for the Ukrainian aspect to realize a 30-day ceasefire.

“We’re in favour of it, however there are nuances.”

One of many areas of competition is Russia’s western Kursk area, Putin mentioned, the place Ukraine launched a army incursion final August and captured some territory.

He claimed Russia was absolutely again in charge of Kursk, and mentioned Ukrainian troops there “have been remoted”.

“They’re making an attempt to depart, however we’re in management. Their tools has been deserted.”

“There are two choices for Ukrainians in Kursk – give up or die.”

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s high commander Oleksandr Syrskyi mentioned Ukrainian troops would maintain defensive positions within the Kursk area “so long as it’s expedient and essential” regardless of “elevated” stress from Russian forces.

At Thursday’s press convention, Putin additionally outlined a few of his questions over how a ceasefire would work. He requested: “How will these 30 days be used? For Ukraine to mobilise? Rearm? Practice folks? Or none of that? Then a query – how will that be managed?”

“Who will give the order to finish the combating? At what value? Who decides who has damaged any potential ceasefire, over 2,000km? All these questions want meticulous work from either side. Who polices it?”

Putin “would not say no immediately”, Zelensky mentioned in his nightly video deal with, however “in observe, he is making ready a rejection”.

“Putin, in fact, is afraid to inform President Trump immediately that he desires to proceed this warfare, desires to kill Ukrainians.”

The Russian chief had set so many pre-conditions “that nothing will work out in any respect”, Zelensky mentioned.

After Putin’s remarks and Zelensky’s response, there’s now a transparent divide between either side’ positions.

Ukraine desires a two-stage course of: a fast ceasefire after which talks a few longer-term settlement.

Russia believes you can’t separate the 2 processes and all the problems must be determined in a single deal. Each side appear content material to argue their variations.

Ukraine believes it might put stress on Russia, portray it as a reluctant peacemaker, taking part in for time. Russia, equally, believes it has an opportunity now to lift its elementary issues, about Nato enlargement and Ukraine’s sovereignty.

However this presents an issue for Donald Trump. He has made it clear he desires a fast outcome, ending the combating in days.

And proper now, Putin doesn’t seem to wish to play ball.

Talking on the White Home following Putin’s remarks, Trump mentioned he would “love” to satisfy the Russian chief and that he hoped Russia would “do the appropriate factor” and comply with the proposed 30-day truce.

“We might prefer to see a ceasefire from Russia,” he mentioned.

Talking earlier at a gathering within the Oval Workplace with Nato Secretary Common Mark Rutte, Trump advised reporters he had already mentioned specifics with Ukraine.

“We have been discussing with Ukraine land and items of land that might be saved and misplaced, and all the different components of a closing settlement,” Trump mentioned.

“A whole lot of the main points of a closing settlement have truly been mentioned.”

With regards to Ukraine becoming a member of the Nato army alliance, Trump mentioned “everyone is aware of what the reply to that’s”.

The recent sanctions on Russian oil and gasoline got here because the Trump administration additional restricted entry to US fee methods, making it more durable for different international locations to purchase Russian oil.

Earlier within the day, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov rejected the ceasefire proposal put ahead by the US.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin launched a video it mentioned confirmed Putin visiting Russia’s Kursk area, symbolically wearing army fatigues. Russia later mentioned it recaptured the important thing city of Sudzha.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Greater than 95,000 folks combating for Russia’s army have been killed within the warfare, in keeping with knowledge analysed up to now and confirmed by the BBC. The precise dying toll is believed to be a lot greater.

Russia’s army has not publicly revealed its battlefield casualties since September 2022, when it mentioned 5,937 troopers had been killed.

Ukraine final up to date its casualty figures in December 2024, when Zelensky acknowledged 43,000 Ukrainian deaths amongst troopers and officers. Western analysts consider this determine to be underestimated.