- Says there are ‘lots of questions’ on ceasefire – with Russia ‘now on offensive in all areas’
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russia agrees “with the (U.S.) proposals for the ceasefire (with Ukraine), but our position is based on the assumption that the ceasefire would lead to long-term peace.”
Putin, who thanked Donald Trump for “paying so much attention to regulating the conflict in Ukraine,” – a continuation of Moscow’s policy of flattery towards the US president, says however that there have been “lots of questions about the ceasefire.”
But he adds that he needs to speak to President Trump first.
According to Putin: “We agree with the proposals for the ceasefire, but our position is based on the assumption that the ceasefire would lead to long-term peace, something that would remove the initial reasons for the crisis”.
Putin, referencing his visit to the Kursk region on Wednesday, describes the situation there as “completely under our control,” tating that a ceasefire will be good for Ukraine – implying it won’t be good for Russia – to reach a 30-day ceasefire.
He also says Russian forces are now on the offensive in all areas on the front, and says the next steps on the conflict will take into account the “fast-changing” developments on the front.
Meanwhile, a joint statement after the meeting of Putin and Belarus leader, Alexander Lukashenko, in Moscow, says the two countries consider NATO’s actions in the context of the war in Ukraine as hostile and destabilising, fraught with nuclear conflict.
The two leaders also condemn the nature of the European Union’s policy towards Russia and Belarus, which they describe as aggressive and confrontational.
They also say the two countries are ready to take military and diplomatic measures in response to NATO’s actions.
Written with reports from Sky News, other agencies
