On Thursday, March 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that although Russia supports the US-led ceasefire plan supported by Ukraine earlier this week in principle, the country did not sign any agreement because it requires more discussion and must result in “enduring peace.”
“The idea [of a ceasefire] itself is correct, and we are certainly supporting it, but there are issues that need to be discussed. I think that we need to talk to our American colleagues and partners. Maybe call President Trump and discuss it together. But we support the very idea of ending this conflict through peaceful means,” he said, according to an NBC translation.
“We are in favor of it, but there are nuances,” he said when asked about the 30-day ceasefire deal brokered by the White House. Kyiv backed the plan on Tuesday, contingent on Moscow’s agreement.
He also asked how possible ceasefire violations would be tracked and whether the 30-day period would be used to “train newly mobilized units” or “supply weapons.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, led a U.S. delegation that arrived in Moscow on Thursday for ceasefire negotiations.
Russian officials had previously given signs that the nation would not immediately join the U.S.-led agreement. A truce would allow Ukraine to increase its forces, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who described the plan as “a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more.” Ushakov did not confirm or deny.
According to the draft agreement, all military operations between Russia and Ukraine would stop, possibly for a longer period of time if both parties agree. Additionally, it needs “the
