Synopsis
A senior aide to Vladimir Putin has rejected the US ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, asserting it would only provide a temporary pause for Ukrainian forces. This comes as US negotiator Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow for discussions. President Putin's support for military advances in Kursk underlines Russia's stance on the matter.Key Takeaways
- US ceasefire proposal dismissed by Kremlin aide.
- Temporary pause seen as beneficial only for Ukraine.
- Negotiations continue in Moscow with US representatives.
- Putin appears in military attire to show support.
- Ukraine's acceptance of ceasefire leaves decision to Russia.
Washington, March 13 (NationPress) A senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday dismissed the US ceasefire proposal regarding the conflict in Ukraine, coinciding with the arrival of US President Donald Trump's chief negotiator in Moscow for discussions.
Yuri Ushakov, a member of Russia's negotiating team with the US, stated on state television that the proposed 30-day ceasefire would merely provide Ukrainian forces the opportunity to reorganize. "This is simply a temporary pause for the Ukrainian military, nothing more. Our objective is a lasting peaceful solution," he asserted, adding, "We don't require steps that merely mimic peaceful actions."
Ushakov mentioned that he had communicated Moscow's disapproval of the temporary ceasefire to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz during a phone conversation on Wednesday.
Steve Witkoff, a close associate of the US President and chief negotiator, has arrived in Moscow to engage in discussions regarding the ceasefire proposal.
However, the senior Kremlin official clarified that he had "expressed my perspective" and that President Putin could offer "more precise and significant evaluations" later in the day.
In a clear political statement, President Putin appeared in the Kursk region clad in military attire earlier in the day to celebrate military progress in the area.
The US ceasefire initiative aims to halt hostilities for 30 days, setting the stage for a peace agreement. Ukraine accepted the proposal during negotiations between the two parties in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier this week, leaving the decision in the hands of Russia.
"Ukraine is prepared to cease fire and initiate dialogue, and now it depends on them to respond with a yes or no," stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reporters after his meeting with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, referring to Russia.
"I hope they will respond positively, and if they do, I believe we will have made substantial progress. If they decline, we will unfortunately understand what the obstacle to peace is in this situation."
The White House has yet to respond to the senior Kremlin aide's comments.
