Calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine continue to circulate through diplomatic channels, but while public statements suggest a shared interest in halting hostilities, the reality remains far more complicated.
The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin supports the idea of a ceasefire—but only under specific, as yet unresolved, conditions.
Moscow Responds to Trump’s Peace Initiative
The Kremlin's reaction follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent push to facilitate a truce between Russia and Ukraine.
On March 25, the White House announced a tentative agreement with both countries concerning a ceasefire in the Black Sea and proposed steps toward stabilizing the region’s energy infrastructure. However, accusations of non-compliance from both sides quickly followed.
“President Putin supports the idea that a ceasefire is necessary,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, “but a whole series of questions must be answered first.”
As reported by HotNews, Peskov blamed stalled progress on what he called “the uncontrollable nature of the regime in Kyiv.”
Meanwhile, Trump has expressed growing frustration with the lack of concrete results. “We’re talking to Russia. We’d like them to stop. I don’t like the bombing. The bombing continues,” he told reporters over the weekend.
Conditional Support and Strategic Hesitations
Putin previously rejected a joint U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire and has insisted that any agreement in the Black Sea must be tied to a loosening of international sanctions—an idea firmly rejected by both Ukraine and its European allies.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced Washington’s firm stance last week, saying President Trump “will not be drawn into endless negotiations.” He added, “We’ll know soon enough if Russia is serious about peace.”
Ukrainian officials are expected in Washington in the coming days for further talks on a stalled resource-sharing agreement, initially planned for signing last month.
Trump views this deal as partial repayment for American military and financial support, while Ukraine is pushing for robust security guarantees to deter further Russian aggression.
As rhetoric and diplomacy collide, the path to peace remains uncertain, clouded by strategic demands and unresolved mistrust on all sides.
