We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities, but we believe that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root cause of the crisis.
The truce proposal needs to take into account several nuances, the president noted. In particular, according to him, there is a risk that Kiev will use the 30-day ceasefire to obtain weapons or forcibly mobilize.
“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 eliminate the root causes of the crisis,” Vladimir Putin said at a press conference following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Listing the aspects that need to be discussed for a truce to occur, Vladimir Putin pointed to the situation in the Kursk region. “If we stop fighting for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone who is there will come out without a fight? Should we let them out after they committed a lot of crimes against civilians?” — the Russian president asked himself.
“How will these 30 days be used? In order for the forced mobilization to continue in Ukraine? In order for weapons to be supplied there? How will the issues of control and verification be resolved — how can we be guaranteed that nothing like this will happen?” continued Vladimir Putin.
According to him, the situation in the Kursk region forces Ukraine to agree to a truce. “The group that invaded our territory is isolated. This is complete isolation and complete fire control. If there is a physical blockage in the next few days, then no one will be able to get out at all. There will be only two ways: surrender or die. And in these circumstances, it seems to me that it would be very good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a truce for at least 30 days,” the president said.
Ukraine accepted the US proposal for a 30-day truce at the talks of the countries’ delegations in Jeddah. Following this, the White House announced plans to discuss the possibility of a truce with the Russian side. On March 13, Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Moscow. The meeting will be held in a closed format.
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