While carefully avoiding an outright rejection of US ceasefire proposals, Moscow is playing for time

Summary

Vladimir Putin responded to Ukraine’s US-backed ceasefire proposal by imposing strict conditions, including a halt to Kyiv’s military aid and mobilization, while continuing Russia’s own rearmament.

His calculated stance prolongs negotiations without outright rejecting Donald Trump’s initiative, which seeks to end the war while pressuring Ukraine.

Putin also demands Ukraine’s demilitarization, exclusion from NATO, and recognition of Russian territorial claims.

Trump, with limited leverage, may shift toward aligning with Putin’s terms. Meanwhile, Ukraine fears the ceasefire could allow Russia to regroup and intensify its offensive.

    • NoiseColor English
      2•3 hours ago

      Its the start of the negotiation, everyone will take positions, but might change them. I don’t think Nato is really an option, but they might avoid this and make individual 2 party agreements between Ukraine and Nato countries that would serve as a sort of replacement for actually admitting Ukraine to Nato.