On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow supports the principle of a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine, as proposed by the Donald Trump administration in the United States. However, he raised questions that the Kremlin needs answers to before committing to a truce.
Putin emphasized that Russia needs to discuss these questions and the terms of a peace proposal with the US.
His comments, the first on the proposed ceasefire, drew criticism from Ukraine and a muted response from Trump, who has alternated between expressing confidence in Putin’s commitment to a peace deal and threatening Russia with new sanctions if it does not agree to a ceasefire.
Here’s what Putin said, the conditions he laid out for Moscow to back a ceasefire, and how the US and Ukraine have reacted to his statement:
What is the US-Ukraine ceasefire deal?
On Tuesday, teams representing Washington and Kyiv met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to negotiate terms for peace in Ukraine.
Following the meeting, the two countries released a joint statement proposing an “immediate, interim” 30-day ceasefire on the war front.
The statement highlighted “the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children” during the ceasefire period.
The document did not mention sanctions on Russia or security guarantees for Ukraine but noted that Ukraine’s European allies would be “involved in the peace process.” It also did not specify the fate of Ukrainian soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region.
What did Putin say about the ceasefire?
For nearly two days, Putin remained silent. Then, on Thursday, during a news conference alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, he responded to the ceasefire proposal.
He said the idea of a ceasefire was “correct” and that Russia supported it in principle. “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities,” he told reporters in Moscow.
However, he added, “There are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to talk about it with our American colleagues and partners, and perhaps have a call with President Trump to discuss it with him.”
What ‘issues’ does Putin want resolved before a ceasefire?
Putin outlined three questions, suggesting that resolving them satisfactorily would be preconditions for Moscow to accept a ceasefire.
How will the Kursk incursion play out?
The first question concerns Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region. In August last year, the Ukrainian army launched a surprise incursion into Kursk, seizing territory.
While the Russian army has reclaimed 1,100 square km (425 square miles) of Kursk—almost the entire area taken by Ukrainian forces—Kyiv’s troops remain present.
“Will all those who are there come out without a fight? Or will the Ukrainian leadership order them to lay down arms and surrender?” Putin questioned.
Will Ukraine mobilise troops and receive new weapons during the ceasefire?
Putin suggested that a 30-day ceasefire could allow Ukraine to mobilise new forces, as its troops face setbacks in Kursk and eastern Ukraine, where Russia has made slow but steady gains in recent months.
During the news conference, Putin said, “Russian troops are advancing in almost all areas of the front… So how will these 30 days be used? For forced mobilisation to continue in Ukraine, for weapons to be delivered there, for the newly-mobilised units to be trained? … How can we and how will we be guaranteed that nothing like that will happen? How will control be organised?”
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, also stated that the 30-day pause would only help Ukrainian troops regroup, calling the ceasefire a “temporary respite” for the Ukrainian army.
In recent months, Ukraine has faced manpower shortages. In January, Ukrainian troops retreated from Kurakhove, a town in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, after Russian forces claimed control.
Who will verify the ceasefire?
Putin also questioned how the ceasefire would be monitored and who would ensure both parties adhere to the agreement.
“We proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis,” he said.
“Who will give orders to stop hostilities? … Who will determine where and who has violated a possible ceasefire agreement for 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles)?”
How has the US reacted?
Putin’s comments came shortly after US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Russia to meet with Putin and other officials. Although Witkoff is officially Trump’s Middle East envoy, he has also been involved in Russia relations.
Last month, he became the first high-level US official to visit Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. During this visit, he secured the release of Marc Fogel, an imprisoned American, in exchange for the US releasing Russian Alexander Vinnik. Witkoff was also part of the US team during negotiations with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia.
On Thursday, during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said Putin had released “a very promising statement, but it wasn’t complete.”
“Now we’re going to see whether or not Russia’s there. And if they’re not, it’ll be a very disappointing moment for the world.”
Also on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that Trump is “willing to apply maximum pressure on both sides,” including sanctions on Russia.
Since the war began in February 2022, the US and its allies have imposed at least 21,692 sanctions on Russia, targeting individuals, media organisations, the military, energy, aviation, shipbuilding, and telecommunications, among other sectors.
Last week, the US temporarily suspended military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine after a White House meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned contentious. The aid and intelligence sharing were restored after the US and Ukraine agreed on the 30-day ceasefire in Jeddah.
How has Ukraine reacted?
In his nightly address posted on X on Thursday, Zelenskyy said Putin is “preparing to reject” the ceasefire proposal.
“Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said.
Marina Miron, a post-doctoral researcher at King’s College London, said it would make sense for Russia to stall on a decision about the ceasefire.
“Until the ceasefire is implemented and everybody is on the same page, time will pass, which will probably give the Russians the necessary time to at least get Kursk back so that it removes any potential negotiating bonuses for Ukraine,” Miron told Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
In his address, Zelenskyy added: “Now is the time to increase pressure on him [Putin]. Sanctions must be applied—ones that will work.” He said Ukraine is willing to continue working with its US and European partners to advance the peace process.
Could the US and Ukraine accept Russia’s peace terms?
It’s unclear. However, some experts believe Trump’s track record suggests the US could try to accommodate Putin’s concerns. If that happens, Ukraine might have no choice but to accept it.
“If past performance is any guide, [Russia’s] demands will be backed by the US,” Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
“I think that the Trump administration has shown to Ukraine very clearly that Ukraine is not going to dictate the rules after the debacle in the Oval Office,” Miron added.
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