Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia agrees with U.S. proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine but emphasized that any agreement must address the root causes of the conflict and require further negotiation on key details.
Speaking at a Kremlin news conference following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin stated that Russia supports a halt to hostilities but insisted that any cessation of fighting should lead to a lasting peace.
“We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities,” Putin said. “But we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and would eliminate the original causes of this crisis.”
Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has triggered the largest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. Russian forces have made significant advances since mid-2024 and currently control nearly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has vowed to end the war, said at the White House on Wednesday that he hoped Moscow would agree to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has expressed willingness to support. Trump described the ongoing conflict as a “bloodbath” and pushed for a temporary halt in fighting as a step toward broader negotiations.
Putin thanked Trump for his diplomatic efforts.
“The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it,” Putin said. “But there are issues that we need to discuss. And I think we need to talk to our American colleagues as well.”
He added that he might call Trump to discuss the proposal further, stating, “We support the idea of ending this conflict by peaceful means.”
Putin’s remarks came a day after he visited a Russian command post in the western Kursk region, where Russian forces have intensified operations. Ukraine is facing growing pressure on the battlefield following recent Russian territorial gains.
