President Vladimir Putin has said Russia could be prepared to accept a ceasefire deal with Ukraine – with conditions
President Vladimir Putin has spoken out about the Ukrainian-US plan for peace, saying he would ‘support’ a 30-day ceasefire in theory.
In a surprising turn of events, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for a ceasefire proposal with Ukraine on March 13, over three years after the conflict began. However, he emphasized that certain details still need to be worked out before it can move forward.
Just two days earlier, on March 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine is ready to ‘restore peace’ with Russia, raising hopes for a potential breakthrough in the long-standing war.
In a significant development following hours of intense negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a joint US-Ukraine statement was issued, calling for an “immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire,” pending Russian approval. The proposal is seen as a potential stepping stone toward lasting peace, with both sides eager to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his latest remarks, has cast a cautious eye on the plan. While he voiced support for the ceasefire, Putin underscored that the ultimate goal is not just a temporary pause, but a resolution that addresses the deeper causes of the crisis.
“We agree with the proposal for a ceasefire to halt hostilities, but we proceed from the understanding that this ceasefire should pave the way for lasting peace and resolve the root causes of the conflict,” Putin stated, according to The Guardian.
However, Putin raised several concerns about what the truce would entail, particularly the potential implications for both sides. “What would happen during those 30 days? Would Ukraine be allowed to continue forced mobilization, receive arms, and train newly mobilized units?” he asked, casting doubt on whether such a pause would benefit Ukraine strategically.
As the situation develops, the world watches closely to see if this ceasefire proposal will indeed lead to the peace that US President Donald Trump has hoped for.
Putin, while expressing support for the idea of a ceasefire, raised critical questions about how the agreement would be enforced. He called for clarification on who would oversee the armistice and who would be responsible for determining violations of the ceasefire. “Who will be blamed for violating the ceasefire?” he asked, highlighting the complexities of monitoring compliance.
Despite these concerns, Putin signaled his openness to further discussions with President Donald Trump, expressing willingness to negotiate directly with the US. “So the idea is good, and we absolutely support it,” Putin said, “but there are issues we need to discuss, and I think we need to negotiate with our American colleagues and partners. Maybe a phone call with President Trump could help move things forward.”
However, Putin’s cautious approach was tempered by a stark reminder of the situation on the ground. Reflecting on his visit to Kursk on March 12, he warned that the situation in Ukraine remained dire, stating that Ukrainian troops surrounded in certain areas would have to “surrender or die.” This reminder of the harsh realities of war underscores the complex road ahead for any peace talks.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko also weighed in at the conference, issuing a stark warning about the potential consequences of Russia accepting the US’ ceasefire terms.
“If Russia agrees to America’s conditions, Ukraine and Europe will be done for,” he declared, emphasizing what he sees as a perilous situation for the region.
Lukashenko further criticized Europe’s approach, claiming that its leaders are failing to grasp the gravity of the negotiations. “The negotiating process between America and Russia holds Europe’s fate in their hands, even though it is behaving in a shortsighted manner in the media, at least,” he remarked.
His comments underscore growing tensions and fears over the balance of power in the ongoing conflict, as the world watches to see whether diplomacy can bring an end to the war.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1899935011777744994
These developments come as Washington commits to lifting the pause on military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, tying it directly to the proposed ceasefire agreement. The U.S. emphasized that Russia’s “reciprocity is the key to achieving peace,” signaling pressure on Moscow to uphold its end of the deal.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to Twitter to outline what a true ceasefire should look like—”silence” across the skies and sea, with no missiles, drones, or bombs in the Black Sea or along the entire front line.
However, Zelenskyy also issued a stark warning to Ukraine’s allies, urging them not to be deceived by Putin’s words.
“The key factor is our partners’ ability to ensure Russia’s readiness not to deceive but to genuinely end the war,” Zelenskyy cautioned. “Because right now, Russian strikes have not stopped.”
His statement highlights the deep mistrust lingering over the negotiations, with Ukraine and its allies wary of a temporary truce being used as a tactical advantage by Russia rather than a genuine step toward peace.
