Putin to Discuss Ceasefire Details with Trump
Kursk Border Area Remains Key Issue
Zelensky: "Putin Is Highly Manipulative"
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed skepticism on the 13th (local time) about the plan to establish a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and The New York Times (NYT) on the 13th (local time), President Putin said at a press conference after a summit with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin, "The ceasefire itself is right, and we will support it, but there are issues that need to be discussed." He also mentioned that he could have a phone call with President Trump to discuss the details of the ceasefire plan.
This is the first time President Putin has officially commented on U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal. While he supports the '30-day ceasefire plan,' it is interpreted that he finds it difficult to accept it as is. In a situation where President Trump is pressuring to accept the ceasefire plan, Putin is carefully expressing that he cannot immediately accept it without offending Trump.
President Putin expressed gratitude to President Trump for his interest in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, responding, "I agree with the proposal to stop hostile actions." However, he emphasized that stopping the fighting must lead to long-term peace and the removal of the root causes of the conflict.
Putin expressed concern that a 30-day ceasefire would be a proposal favorable to Ukraine, as Ukraine could use this period for mobilization or weapons supply. He also pointed out that it is unclear what the situation would be like in Kursk, near the Russian border, if the ceasefire is implemented. This is interpreted as his position that it is difficult to discuss a ceasefire until Ukrainian forces are driven out of Kursk.
President Putin stated that the currently favorable battlefield situation for Russia is rapidly changing and said, "Russia will negotiate the next steps to end the conflict considering the situation on the ground."
Putin welcomed the return of Western companies that left the Russian market after the Ukraine conflict, evaluating that "the return of Western companies can be beneficial to everyone."
He added that talks are currently underway with some companies regarding their return to Russia.
President Putin is expected to discuss the Ukraine situation and the ceasefire plan with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. White House Middle East envoy, who arrived in Russia on the same day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin's remarks as "very predictable and very manipulative," pointing out, "Of course, Putin is afraid to directly tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war and kill Ukrainians."
The NYT noted, "President Putin did not rule out the proposal by the U.S. and Ukraine for a one-month ceasefire on Thursday, but he presented several conditions that could delay or make the ceasefire impossible to achieve."
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