Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first public remarks on Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, expressing gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts in addressing the conflict.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin said that Russia agrees with the proposals to cease hostilities but “proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and
eliminate the root causes of the crisis.”
When asked about Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, Putin said, “As for Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, I will tell you how I view it, of course. But I would like to start by thanking the President of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. We all have enough of our own domestic affairs to attend to. But many leaders of states, among them the President of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this issue and give it a lot of their time.
We are grateful to all of them for that because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission – the mission of ending hostilities and loss of life.”
He further said, “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.”
He also referred to the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that Ukraine’s willingness for a ceasefire was likely influenced by American pressure.
