Putin says he backs Ukraine-Russia ceasefire plan – ‘but there are nuances’ | EUROtoday

Russian president Vladimir Putin has mentioned he agrees with American proposals to cease combating in Ukraine – however has posed a number of questions over the way it ought to unfold whereas warning Ukrainian troopers in Kursk to “surrender or die”.

Putin mentioned the proposal for a the 30-day ceasefire, agreed in talks between Washington and Kyiv in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, was “good, and we absolutely support it”.

Russian forces have been advancing for the reason that center of final yr, and now management practically a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, three years after the Kremlin despatched tens of 1000’s of troops to invade the nation.

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At the identical time, Ukrainian forces are shedding floor within the Kursk area amid a serious Russian offensive to recapture land which Kyiv had hoped may very well be an important bargaining chip in peace negotiations.

At a information convention within the Kremlin, the Russian chief mentioned: “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities.

“But we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and would eliminate the original causes of this crisis.”

He questioned how the ceasefire can be enforced alongside the entrance line and in Kursk.

“We are in favour of a 30-day ceasefire, but there are nuances. First of all, what are we going to do about this incursion in Kursk?” he mentioned.

“If we ceased hostilities for 30 days, would it mean that everybody there would leave? Should we release them after they committed serious crimes against civilians there?

“How will other aspects be dealt with along with 2,000km contact line? As you know, the Russian troops are advancing practically in every sector of the contact line, and all the conditions are there for us to besiege fairly large [Ukrainian] units.

“So what would happen during those 30 days?”

Mr Putin additionally held out the concept of constructing a fuel pipeline to Europe as a result of, he mentioned, it wanted low cost Russian fuel.

Ukrainian troops stranded in Kursk would wish to “surrender or die”, the Russian president warned. “The situation is fully under our control and the group that invaded our territory has been isolated, fully isolated,” he mentioned.

Any ceasefire negotiations would rely on the state of affairs on the bottom.

“The situation on the ground is changing fast. Yesterday, in his report, the northern group partner told me: tomorrow Sudzha will be ours. And that’s what happened,” mentioned Putin.

“I’m sure that all the plans in Kursk will be achieved just as they were in other areas along the front line.”

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After Mr Putin’s press convention, which was held with Belarusian president and ally Alexander Lukashenko, he was set to carry a gathering with US president Donald Trump’s particular envoy, Steve Witkoff. Those discussions, behind closed doorways in Moscow, have been anticipated to give attention to a few of the particulars of the proposals.

The Russian chief thanked Mr Trump for “giving so much attention to a settlement in Ukraine”.

Asked in regards to the prospect of the US lifting sanctions, he mentioned any firms that wished to return to Russia can be welcomed.

But sanctions on Russia, he mentioned, had “created Russia’s independence and our sovereignty”.

He reminded the world that tactical nuclear arms have been deployed in Belarus.

Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin of eager to postpone a truce.

“Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made,” he wrote on social media.

“This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible. We hope that US pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war.

“Our team is prepared to continue working constructively with all partners in America, Europe, and other parts of the world who are committed to bringing peace closer.”

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Mr Trump mentioned Mr Witkoff was in critical discussions with Russia about ending the conflict.

The president, who mentioned he was keen to speak to the Russian chief by telephone, known as Mr Putin’s assertion “very promising” however mentioned it was not full.

“Hopefully, they’ll do the right thing,” he mentioned throughout a gathering with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.

He mentioned he didn’t consider Russia would assault US allies. “It’s not going to happen. We’ll make sure it doesn’t happen,” he mentioned.

Ukraine is more likely to see Mr Putin’s stance as an try to purchase time whereas Russian troops squeeze the final Ukrainian troops out of western Russia and Moscow sticks to calls for that Kyiv regards as looking for its capitulation.