Vladimir Putin expressed that Russia is open to halting hostilities, but emphasizes that this must pave the way for enduring peace and tackle the underlying issues of the crisis. In his initial public comments regarding Kyiv’s ceasefire proposal, the Russian President extended his gratitude to global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their contributions to resolving the Ukraine-Russia conflict. During a conversation with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin reiterated that while Russia is on board with the idea of a ceasefire, it is essential that this pause leads to sustainable peace and addresses the fundamental causes of the crisis.
When discussing Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, Putin expressed his perspective, saying, “I appreciate the attention that President Trump of the United States has given to the situation in Ukraine. While we all have our own domestic issues to focus on, many world leaders, including the President of China, the Prime Minister of India, and the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa, are also dedicating their time to this matter. We are thankful for their efforts, as they aim to fulfill a noble goal: to bring an end to the conflict and prevent further loss of life.” He added, “We are in agreement with the proposals for a ceasefire, but we believe that this pause in hostilities must pave the way for lasting peace and address the underlying causes of the crisis.”
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He also mentioned the recent discussions between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, implying that Ukraine’s openness to a ceasefire was likely shaped by pressure from the United States. “Regarding Ukraine’s willingness to halt hostilities, it may seem at first glance that the meeting in Saudi Arabia led the Ukrainians to this decision due to American influence. However, I firmly believe that the Ukrainian side must have strongly urged the Americans for this decision, considering the current situation on the ground, as previously noted,” Putin stated. On March 11, Ukraine indicated its readiness to accept the US proposal for an “immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire,” which could be extended by mutual consent and is contingent upon Russia’s agreement and simultaneous implementation.
US President Donald Trump expressed his support for Ukraine’s agreement to a ceasefire following the peace discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and he remains hopeful that Russia will also come to an agreement. He highlighted the tragic loss of life among soldiers from both Russia and Ukraine in this “horrible war,” emphasizing the significance of achieving a ceasefire. Earlier in February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Trump’s initiatives to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reaffirmed India’s belief that the situation should be resolved through dialogue. He clarified that India’s position is not neutral; rather, it advocates for peace. The Prime Minister noted that he has personally engaged with leaders from both Russia and Ukraine and referenced his statement, made in the presence of President Putin, that “this is not an era of war.”
