Russia backs ceasefire proposal with Ukraine, but scrutinizes details

(CLO) President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia supports the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle, but any ceasefire must address the root causes of the conflict and many important details need to be worked out.

"Lasting peace and elimination of the original cause"

"We agree with the proposals for ending hostilities," Putin told reporters at the Kremlin after talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. "The idea itself is correct and we certainly support it."

“But we proceed from the fact that this ceasefire must lead to lasting peace and eliminate the original cause of this crisis.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko before a meeting at the Kremlin. Photo: Kremlin

Mr Putin listed a series of issues he said needed clarification and thanked President Trump, who said he wanted to be remembered as a peacekeeper, for his efforts to end the war. Both Moscow and Washington now view the conflict as a deadly proxy war that could escalate into World War III.

Mr Trump, who said he was willing to speak by phone with the Russian leader, called President Putin's statement "very promising" and said he hoped Moscow would "do the right thing".

Waiting for negotiation results from US special envoy

Mr Trump said his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in serious talks with the Russians in Moscow about the US proposal that Ukraine had agreed to.

The US president said Thursday's talks would show whether Moscow was ready to make a deal. "Now we'll see if Russia is there, and if they're not there, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world ," he said.

President Putin describes the conflict as part of an existential battle with the West and Russia, in which the West is expanding the NATO military alliance and encroaching on what he sees as Moscow's sphere of influence, including Ukraine.

How to control ceasefire?

Mr Putin said Russian forces were advancing along the entire front line and the ceasefire would have to ensure that Ukraine did not seek to exploit the ceasefire simply to regroup.

“How can we and will we be guaranteed that nothing like this will happen? How will we organise control (of the ceasefire)?” Mr Putin said. “These are serious questions.” He said he might call Mr Trump to discuss the issue.

In recent days, Russia has launched a series of attacks and has managed to encircle Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region of Moscow, which Kiev has occupied since August last year. According to the Russian military, Ukraine now holds less than 200 square kilometers in Kursk, down from 1,300 square kilometers previously.

President Putin said it was becoming impossible for Ukrainian troops to break out of Russia's Kursk region. "Command and control of the Ukrainian troops inside the intrusion zone is no longer possible," he said. "In the initial stages, the Ukrainian troops tried to leave the area in small groups. This is no longer possible."

Hoang Huy (according to TASS, KYI, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nga-ung-ho-de-xuat-ngung-ban-voi-ukraine-nhung-can-xem-xet-ky-cac-chi-tiet-post338442.html