Putin responds to US-Ukraine ceasefire proposal, says Russia 'for it' but has concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putin's comments "manipulative."
ByDavid Brennan and Meredith Deliso
March 13, 2025, 2:20 PM
LONDON -- In his first public remarks on the proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is "for it" but that he wants his own security guarantees.
Putin raised questions regarding a 30-day ceasefire during a press briefing in Moscow on Thursday, as President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff landed in the city to discuss the proposal.
"It seems to me, it would be very good for the Ukrainian side to reach a truce for at least 30 days. And we are for it. But there is a nuance," Putin said, highlighting concerns regarding Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces pushed into last year in a surprise offensive but in recent weeks have seen Russian forces retake significant ground.
"If we stop the hostilities for 30 days, what does it mean? Does it mean that everyone who is there will leave without a fight?" Putin said. "Or the Ukrainian leadership will give them an order to lay down their arms and just surrender? How will it be? It is not clear."
more
https://abcnews.go.com/International/witkoff-arrives-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-talks/story?id=119744117
