A senior advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin recently criticized a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, asserting that it provided no advantage to Russia and would only benefit Ukraine. This marked one of the first overt signs of opposition from Moscow regarding the ceasefire deal, which Kyiv agreed to on Tuesday.
Yuri Ushakov, a past Russian ambassador to America and a key aide to Putin, slammed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, dismissing it as “hasty actions” that do little to serve Russia’s long-term interests. In an interview with Russian media, Ushakov stated, “What does a 30-day temporary ceasefire give us? It gives us nothing. It only gives the Ukrainians the chance to regroup, rearm, and continue their efforts in the future.”
The U.S. move to pressure Russia into agreeing to a ceasefire followed a series of diplomatic engagements. Former President Donald Trump sent his senior envoy for Russia, Steve Witkoff, to meet with Russian officials, warning that failure to engage in peace talks could lead to devastating financial consequences for Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not confirm whether Putin would meet Witkoff, but suggested that Russia’s leadership was open to discussions with American diplomats.
This shift in U.S. strategy represents a significant change from the previous months of mounting criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The U.S. now appears to be exerting more pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire, even as Ukraine has signaled its support for such a pause in hostilities.
Ushakov further outlined Russia’s demands, which closely resemble those made prior to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These include requiring Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations, accept a neutral stance, and agree to Russian territorial claims, including those on areas of Ukraine that are still contested. These conditions remain unacceptable to Ukraine and most Western nations.
Despite Trump’s calls for dialogue, Putin has intensified military operations, including efforts to reclaim territory in the Kursk region. The Russian leader visited Kursk this week, making it clear that Moscow’s primary objective is to retake and secure Russian-claimed territory. “Our immediate goal is to destroy the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region,” Putin declared, reinforcing his commitment to military action despite calls for peace talks.
The U.S. administration, meanwhile, has suggested that Ukraine might have to concede some territory and accept a non-NATO status as part of any future negotiations—a stance that continues to draw resistance from both Ukraine and its European allies.