Putin Rejects Trump’s Ceasefire Proposal, Demands Additional Guarantees
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, insisting that any agreement must align with Russia’s conditions.
While Putin acknowledged the “idea” of a ceasefire, he expressed skepticism over its implementation and emphasized that any truce should lead to a “long-term peace” that addresses the “original causes of this crisis”—a veiled reference to Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine.
At a press conference in Moscow, Putin stated that although he supported the ceasefire “in principle,” key details needed further discussion. Specifically, Russia demands that Ukraine halt all military mobilization, training, and weapon shipments during any temporary truce. Moscow also insists on clear mechanisms to monitor compliance along the front lines.
Putin cast doubt on whether a ceasefire was even in Russia’s interest, highlighting his military’s advances. “Our troops are progressing in nearly all sectors of the front… So what will Ukraine do with these 30 days? Continue its forced mobilization?” he questioned.
Trump Calls Putin’s Response “Promising” but “Incomplete”
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described Putin’s reaction as “very promising” but acknowledged that it was not a full acceptance of the proposal. Standing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump warned that failure to secure a ceasefire would be a “very disappointing moment for the world.”
Putin’s broader conditions for ending the war include international recognition of Russian-occupied territories, severe restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities, a prohibition on NATO membership, and the exclusion of foreign peacekeepers, according to Reuters. These demands remain unacceptable to Kyiv and its European allies.
In response to Putin’s remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian leader of using “predictable, manipulative rhetoric” to preemptively undermine the ceasefire proposal. “Of course, he won’t tell President Trump that he intends to keep this war going and continue killing Ukrainians,” Zelensky said.
Trump is expected to speak with Putin as early as Friday. “I’d love to meet with him and talk,” Trump said, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution. Meanwhile, his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was scheduled to meet with Putin on Thursday evening.
Experts have cautioned that Putin’s response appears deliberately ambiguous. “His answer sounds like a ‘yes’ to Trump but functions as a ‘no’ in practice—unless Ukraine submits to Russian demands,” said Brian Taylor, a professor at Syracuse University.
Russian Troops Surround Ukrainian Forces in Kursk
Meanwhile, Russian forces captured the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region on Thursday, depriving Ukraine of a critical foothold inside Russian territory. Putin claimed that remaining Ukrainian troops in the area were surrounded and faced a dire choice: “surrender or die.” Kyiv responded by ordering evacuations in eight border villages.
Russia’s rapid advances in Kursk coincided with Trump’s decision to halt intelligence-sharing with the Ukrainian military. However, Putin stated that any ceasefire agreement would not apply in Kursk, which he visited in battle fatigues on Wednesday night.
Reports also suggest that Trump’s Ukraine envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg, has been sidelined from ceasefire negotiations at Moscow’s request, with Russian officials viewing him as too sympathetic to Ukraine, NBC reported.
Ukraine’s Red Lines and Russia’s Economic Incentives
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, reaffirmed Ukraine’s refusal to recognize Russian-occupied territories as part of any peace deal. “A portion of our country is under temporary Russian occupation—that is a fact,” Yermak said. “But legally recognizing any of it as Russian territory will not happen.” He also rejected the prospect of a “frozen conflict” and called for European involvement in peace talks.
Speaking alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin attempted to entice European nations by suggesting that a deal with Trump could restore Russian energy supplies. “A pipeline can be secured,” he said, hinting at the return of cheap Russian gas to Europe.
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