fforts to negotiate a short-term ceasefire in Ukraine appear to be facing resistance from Moscow.
According to high-ranking Russian sources, President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept the U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal, citing concerns over military positioning and security guarantees.
Russia’s Stance on the Ceasefire
Sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Russia views the ceasefire proposal with skepticism, fearing it could weaken its military advantage.
One senior Russian source stated that any agreement must reflect Russia’s territorial gains and include guarantees for Moscow. "It is difficult for Putin to accept this in its current form," the source said, emphasizing that Russia has been advancing on the battlefield.
Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory, and its forces have made steady gains in recent months. Meanwhile, Ukraine, which initially expressed openness to the ceasefire, has seen the U.S. resume military aid and intelligence-sharing.
Putin’s Position on Peace Talks
Putin has repeatedly dismissed the idea of a short-term ceasefire, arguing that a pause in fighting would allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm.
"We do not need a ceasefire; we need long-term peace with guarantees for the Russian Federation and its citizens," he stated in December. In January, he reaffirmed that Russia would not accept a temporary truce that could be used as a strategic pause by Ukraine and its allies.
Putin’s long-standing demands for peace include Ukraine renouncing its NATO ambitions and withdrawing from all Russian-occupied territories. Russia asserts it will never return control of areas such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson, despite Ukraine maintaining that these territories were illegally annexed.
Outlook for Negotiations
With Moscow firmly rejecting any ceasefire without significant concessions, prospects for immediate peace remain bleak.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated this stance, stating that Russia would not tolerate NATO troops in Ukraine "under any circumstances."
As reported by Digi24, Russian officials believe any future agreement will be dictated by battlefield realities rather than diplomatic proposals.
