Russian President Vladimir Putin has conditionally supported a U.S.-suggested 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
According to Breitbart, the consensus emerges amidst discussions on enforcement mechanisms and potential issues regarding Ukraine’s actions during the ceasefire.
During a news conference held in Moscow on March 13, 2025, President Putin voiced his provisional acceptance of the United States’ ceasefire proposal. This announcement was made just before his scheduled meeting with the Belarusian leader at the Kremlin.
While the Russian leader supports the ceasefire in principle, he underscored the necessity of addressing several conditions to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability. The Associated Press highlighted the requirement for developing a mechanism to transition the ceasefire from a proposal to actionable steps.
President Putin specifically warned that Ukraine could exploit the ceasefire to mobilize and rearm. He emphasized that any ceasefire agreement should not only pause hostilities but also pave the way for addressing the deeper causes of the conflict.
A delegation of U.S. diplomats had recently visited Moscow to deliberate over the terms of the proposed ceasefire, suggesting a concerted effort to forge a viable peace agreement. Media reports including from Breitbart News indicate that a phone call might soon occur between President Donald Trump and President Putin to further discuss this crucial matter.
During his statements, President Putin hinted that the ceasefire might also strategically benefit Ukraine, particularly by highlighting that Ukrainian forces are encircled in the Kursk region.
President Putin’s perspective on the ceasefire echoed a broader vision for peace:
We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis.
Despite the proposed ceasefire, concerns remain about its true intent and potential consequences. According to President Putin, the battlefield situation, which has been especially dire for Ukrainian troops in regions like Kursk, could make the ceasefire more advantageous to Ukraine, potentially enabling them to regroup and strengthen their defensive positions.
The strategic dynamics of the ceasefire are complex, with both sides analyzing the implications of a temporary halt in the fighting on their long-term military and political objectives.
In his dialogue, President Putin also touched upon the current situation on the ground and how it influenced his views on the ceasefire:
So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it. But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initially agreed to the proposed ceasefire in principle, but it includes several stipulations that officials must carefully navigate to ensure it becomes a stepping stone toward lasting peace.
The discussions continue to evolve, with diplomatic efforts at the forefront of moving towards a resolution that addresses not only the cessation of hostilities but also the underlying tensions that precipitated the conflict.
