— We agree with the proposals to halt military activities, but we presume that this cessation should be so as to lead to lasting peace and eliminated the root causes of the crisis, announced Vladimir Putin during a press conference attended by Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus.
The Russian president began an invasion of Ukraine on a full scale in February 2022, attempting to conquer his confederate neighbour and overthrow the authorities there, which according to his accusations dominated by “Nazis”.
These "source reasons" — which include Moscow's opposition to Ukraine's integration with NATO and Kiev's western political orientation — they may constitute a critical obstacle to a successful peace agreement.
Thursday night Russian leader will talk to Steve Witkoff, U.S. President's envoy Donald Trump, at a closed gathering in the Kremlin.
At a press conference, Putin added that Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk Oblast “have completely abandoned their equipment due to the fact that there will be a physical blockade of the region — either they will die or surrender to leave the region‘.
- I'm in. But if we stay here in Kursk for 30 days, it would mean that the Ukrainian military would have respective options,” Putin added, drawing out a number of question marks. — How will they usage these 30 days? To deliver a weapon? Forced mobilisation? Training? How can we be certain that no of this will happen in the future? Who will give the orders to cease fire? What is the value of these orders? Who will make the decision? Who will violate this agreement and where?
According to Putin, ‘all these issues must be carefully examined in the close future’.
— I think we request to discuss this with our American partners, possibly we request to to have a telephone conversation with president Trump. But we support the peaceful ending of this conflict, declared Putin.
"He thinks he can accomplish his goals through combat"
Putin wanted a short war to overthrow Volodymyr Zelenski, occupy Kiev, thwart Ukraine's membership prospects in the EU and NATO, and undermine its democratic character. However, Russia failed to accomplish its main strategical objectives. She suffered losses estimated at over 170 000 soldiers.
Peace talks have intensified in fresh days. Trump's squad is trying to lead to ceasefire in Ukraine. At the beginning of this week American negotiators met with Kiev leaders in Saudi Arabiato make a proposal for a ceasefire with which the Ukrainian side could reconcile.
PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT / PAPVolodymyr Zelenski, president of Ukraine, during a visit to Saudi Arabia, 10 March 2025.
However, Putin's comments from the press conference are in line with the expectations of Kremlin policy experts. Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev said POLITICO that Putin "is not curious in ceasefire".
— He thinks he can accomplish his goals by fighting. I think he feels rather confident,” said Bondarev, who worked for Russia's permanent mission to the UN in Geneva. He added that Putin is most likely calculating that "Trump wants a peace agreement much more than Ukraine‘.
