On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that negotiators from Washington were en route to Russia to discuss a ceasefire proposal supported by Ukraine, following Kyiv’s agreement to a 30-day truce.
Trump refrained from providing further specifics, but reports indicated that special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to travel to Russia this week. This diplomatic mission comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the resolution to the conflict rests with Russia, insisting that negotiations are the only viable path to peace.
Putin’s surprise visit to troops
The timing of the US delegation coincides with images broadcast by Russian state television showing President Vladimir Putin making an unexpected visit to Moscow’s troops in the Kursk region, an area previously targeted by Ukrainian forces during a surprise incursion last year. Russian media reported that Moscow’s efforts to eliminate Ukrainian military presence in Kursk are in their concluding stages, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
In response to the escalating tensions, Ukraine’s army commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, mentioned that his forces are strategically repositioning to reduce casualties.
“My priority has been and remains saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers,”
Syrskyi stated, indicating a willingness to shift to “more favourable conditions” if necessary.
Ceasefire negotiations and potential consequences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding Ukrainian soldiers, asserting that Russia is “clearly trying to put maximum pressure on our troops.” He further remarked on the necessity for international partners to ensure Russia’s genuine commitment to ending hostilities, amidst ongoing strikes that have yet to cease.
Meanwhile, Trump warned reporters that the US could impose “devastating” economic consequences on Russia if it fails to accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal.
“I can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia, I don’t want to do them, because I want to get peace,”
Trump declared, noting that he has received “positive messages” regarding the ceasefire, though he cautioned that such messages hold little weight in this serious situation.
The Kremlin has yet to publicly disclose its stance on the proposed ceasefire. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is open to discussing a peace initiative with the US “as early as today.” Additionally, Russian state news agency Tass reported that Putin might address the situation in Ukraine during a news conference on Thursday with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko.
Historically, Moscow has dismissed the notion of a temporary ceasefire, arguing that it would provide Ukrainian forces with an opportunity to regroup. The immediate 30-day ceasefire is a central element of the joint statement issued by Ukraine and the US on Tuesday, which also calls for a halt in hostilities across air, sea, and land fronts, alongside provisions for the exchange of prisoners of war, release of civilian detainees, and the repatriation of children forcibly relocated from Ukraine to Russia.