Putin responds to US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine: Will Kremlin talks yield results?
Talks were held between the US and Russia to secure a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine War. A US delegation traveled to Moscow on March 13 to meet with Russian officials. During the talks, Russia conditioned a ceasefire on the international recognition of its annexed territories, a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO, and a ban on deploying troops to Ukraine. While no agreement was reached between the two delegations, Putin stated that the ceasefire proposal requires further work.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said he supports the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle, but noted that there are certain conditions preventing an immediate end to the hostilities. Putin emphasized that a ceasefire must lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of the crisis.
Russia presented 3 conditions to the US for a 30-day ceasefire. The Kremlin administration demanded that NATO forces not be deployed to Ukraine, while also requesting that the territories it has seized in Ukraine be recognized as Russian land. Russia also reiterated that NATO should not accept Ukraine for membership in the future.
According to Reuters, Trump, in an interview before the talks, described Putin's statement as 'very promising' and expressed his hope that Moscow would 'do the right thing.' The US President said his special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian officials in Moscow and that the meetings to be held on Thursday would show whether Russia is ready for a deal.
PUTIN'S MESSAGES
Speaking about the talks, Putin underlined that a ceasefire must bring a lasting solution and address the issues at the root of the crisis. Putin added that serious work needs to be done on the ceasefire proposal.
Putin stated that his conditional support for the US ceasefire proposal was intended to send a message of goodwill to Washington and pave the way for further talks with US President Donald Trump, saying the following:
''We agree with the proposals aimed at ending hostilities. The idea is correct and we certainly support it... The Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk have two options; either surrender or be destroyed. When there is a ceasefire, will the Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk withdraw?''
Following the statements from the Russian leader, Trump has not yet commented on the current status of the ceasefire talks.
KELLOGG REMOVED FROM TALKS
US President Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, was removed from the peace talks at the Kremlin's request. Russian officials did not want Kellogg to participate in the talks due to his pro-Ukraine stance.
A Russian official speaking to NBC News said, 'Kellogg is an old American general who is very close to Ukraine. He is not someone in our style, he is not the caliber we are looking for.' Kellogg's future role has not yet been clarified.
National Security Council Spokesperson James Hewitt stated that Kellogg continues to be a valuable part of the team in discussions with European allies. Kellogg held various positions during Trump's first term and also served as national security advisor to Vice President Mike Pence.
Trump's special envoy to Russia Keith Kellogg
KNOWN FOR HIS ANTI-RUSSIA STANCE
Before being appointed as Trump's Russia-Ukraine peace envoy in January, Kellogg wrote articles criticizing the Biden administration's foreign policies. Arguing that the US should play an active role in Eastern Europe against Russia, Kellogg claimed that the war in Ukraine was in the US's interest.
In an article he wrote for the America First Policy Institute, Kellogg argued that Ukraine should be armed and its defense strengthened, stating:
''We must ensure that Russia cannot make any further progress and will not attack again after a ceasefire or peace agreement.''
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine 'within 24 hours.' While Russia is making progress on the battlefield in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have entered a military crisis in Kursk. It is reported that Ukrainian troops, facing the danger of being surrounded, are suffering heavy losses.