Putin Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal, But …

KYIV, THURSDAY - Russia has, in principle, agreed to the United States' proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. However, any form of ceasefire must address the root causes of the conflict, and there are still many important details that need to be resolved. On the other hand, Ukraine believes that Russia will reject the ceasefire proposal, but Moscow is deemed unwilling to be forthright with the United States, particularly with U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Thursday (13/3/2025), Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to reject the proposed ceasefire but is afraid to say it directly to Trump. Russia is setting conditions for the ceasefire merely to delay it or ensure it does not happen at all.

Putin is said by Zelenskyy to often behave in such a manner. Putin will not say "no" directly but ensures that everything drags on, leaving no opportunity for resolution.

"Putin is certainly afraid to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war and kill Ukrainian citizens. That is why Russia is imposing the idea of a ceasefire with conditions," said Zelenskyy.

Currently, Zelenskyy stated, Washington is ready to arrange control and verification of the ceasefire. The ceasefire will provide time to prepare for long-term security and genuine peace, as well as to formulate a plan to end the war.

Previously, Putin stated that he agreed in principle and supported the proposal from the US. However, there are still several issues that need to be discussed with the US. Putin reminded that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis.

Putin stated that Russian forces are advancing along the front line, and the ceasefire must ensure that Ukraine does not attempt to use it merely to regroup their forces.

"How can we ensure and how will we be guaranteed that such things will not happen? How will the control (of the ceasefire) be regulated? These are all serious questions. Perhaps later I will call President Trump and discuss this matter with him," said Putin.

In Washington, Trump said there were “good signals” and promises from Russia. At least that was the impression captured from Putin’s statement. Trump is also ready to talk to Putin. He stressed that it is time for the war to end.

"But Putin's statement is not enough. Now we'll see if Russia really wants a ceasefire or not. If not, it will be a disappointment to the world," Trump said at the start of his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.

Russia has previously ruled out the presence of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire or long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, contradicting Ukraine's demand for European allies to deploy a military "contingent" on its territory after the conflict ends to protect Ukraine from future Russian aggression.

"For us, it is absolutely unacceptable that military units of other countries are stationed in Ukraine under any flag. Whether it is a foreign contingent or a military base, all this means the involvement of other countries in a direct armed conflict with Russia," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

In line with the latest developments in the peace efforts for Ukraine, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has called Putin. He said that Saudi Arabia remains committed to facilitating dialogue and supporting a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis. Saudi Arabia recently hosted separate meetings between U.S. and Russian officials, as well as U.S. and Ukrainian officials.

On the other hand, the US agreed to continue providing arms and sharing intelligence with Ukraine after Kyiv was ready to support the ceasefire proposal. This is what Ukraine said in talks with Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, from the battlefield, it was reported that in the last few days, Russia has pressured Ukraine with a lightning attack in the Kursk region. Russia claims to have made rapid progress in Kursk. Putin, wearing a camouflage uniform, also visited a command post in the region last Wednesday. Such a visit is very rare for Putin.

While at the Kursk command post, Putin questioned what it would mean if the conflict was stopped for 30 days. Would everyone on the battle lines leave without a fight? According to the Russian military, Ukraine now controls less than 200 square kilometers of territory in Kursk. Previously, Ukraine controlled 1,300 square kilometers but was beaten back by Russia.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had recaptured the settlement of Sudzha and two other settlements in the border region. Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Russian aircraft had launched so many strikes on Kursk that Sudzha was almost completely destroyed.

He did not comment on whether Ukraine still controlled the settlement, but said Russia was “directing (troops) to more advantageous lines.” Sudzha, home to about 5,000 people before the fighting, was the largest settlement Kyiv captured after launching a surprise attack on Kursk.

The Kursk region is one of Kyiv’s few bargaining chips in a territorial swap with Russia. Ukraine is now at risk of losing its grip on the border region altogether, having lost dozens of square kilometers in the past week.

Supported by troops from North Korea, the Russian army was able to put strong pressure on the Ukrainian army in Russian territory.

Meanwhile, as Trump tries to end the war diplomatically, he has made veiled threats to impose new sanctions on Russia if Russia does not engage in peace efforts.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump would apply maximum pressure on both sides, including the highest level of sanctions against Russia. The U.S. still has about $3.85 billion in funds authorized by Congress for future arms shipments to Ukraine.

However, the Trump administration has so far shown no interest in using that authority to send additional weapons pending the outcome of the peace approach.

On the other hand, by signaling its openness to a ceasefire at a time when Russia is leading on the battlefield, Ukraine has put Russia in a dilemma. If Russia accepts the ceasefire, then the hope of winning the war will not be achieved. On the other hand, if it rejects the ceasefire proposal, there is a risk that its relationship with the US will be damaged again.

(REUTERS/AFP/AP)