A top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the United States’ proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, arguing that it would only serve as a temporary advantage for Kyiv’s forces.
Yuri Ushakov, a former Russian ambassador to Washington and a key foreign policy advisor to Putin, stated on Thursday that he had conveyed Moscow’s position to US officials. “This is nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more,” Ushakov said in an interview with Russian state television, as reported by Reuters.
He further emphasized that Russia seeks a long-term peaceful settlement that aligns with its strategic interests, rather than temporary measures that merely “imitate peaceful actions.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow for talks with Putin, as the US attempts to mediate an end to the conflict. Russian officials confirmed that US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz had presented details of the ceasefire plan on Wednesday and that Moscow was open to discussions.
Trump Pushes for Ceasefire Deal
US President Donald Trump reiterated his hope that Russia would agree to a 30-day ceasefire, a proposal Ukraine has already signaled support for. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated, “I want to see peace. We’ll see what happens. But financially, we could do things that would be very bad for Russia—devastating even.”
Putin is expected to address the media later to elaborate on Moscow’s stance. Ushakov’s remarks suggest that the Kremlin sees Russia’s recent battlefield gains as strengthening its position in any future peace negotiations.
With ongoing Western support for Ukraine and growing concerns over the war’s trajectory, the diplomatic landscape remains uncertain, as both sides weigh the next steps.
