Ukraine's President Accuses Putin of Manipulation in Ceasefire Talks
Moscow/Kyiv - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of employing manipulative tactics regarding the conditions for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy suggested that Putin is hesitant to openly communicate his intentions to U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that the Kremlin leader lacks genuine interest in ending the war.
Putin's vague response to a proposed 30-day ceasefire by the U.S. has drawn skepticism from various experts. During a recent press conference, Putin linked his agreement to the ceasefire proposal to a series of preconditions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict while reiterating claims to Ukrainian territory.
In his evening video address, Zelenskyy criticized the conditions set forth by Putin, suggesting that they are designed to prolong the conflict rather than facilitate a peaceful resolution. According to Zelenskyy, this strategy is indicative of a common tactic used by Putin, who prefers to create obstacles rather than provide clear answers.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine's willingness to temporarily halt military operations, contingent upon U.S. oversight of the ceasefire. He emphasized that the proposal for a ceasefire was accepted on the premise of U.S. involvement in monitoring its implementation.
Experts have echoed Zelenskyy's concerns regarding Putin's response to the U.S. proposal. George Barros from the Institute for the Study of War remarked that those interpreting Putin's statements as an acceptance of the ceasefire terms may be misled, asserting that Putin is attempting to alter the narrative of the proposal while rejecting its core elements.
Military analyst Carlo Masala described Putin's elaborate language as a means of effectively saying 'no' without directly stating his refusal. Political scientist Thomas Jäger noted that Putin's rhetoric indicates a continued commitment to warfare against Ukraine and the European Union.
Amid these developments, Trump expressed satisfaction with the initial discussions held by a U.S. delegation in Moscow regarding the Ukraine conflict. He stated that while positive signs are emerging from the negotiations, a definitive outcome is still pending.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to present the ceasefire proposal, having previously engaged in negotiations that included the release of an American citizen from Russian captivity. Although Witkoff's arrival was met with a delay in scheduling a meeting with Putin, he is expected to advocate for the 30-day ceasefire proposal.
As diplomatic efforts unfold, the violence continues in Ukraine. A drone attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv resulted in injuries to at least seven individuals, including four children. The attack caused significant damage across multiple districts, adding to the toll of civilian casualties in one of the war's most affected areas.
In response, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted an oil refinery in the Russian city of Tuapse, igniting a fire that spanned over 1,000 square meters, though no injuries were reported.
The conflict remains intense, with reports of approximately 130 clashes reported along the front lines, particularly in the city of Pokrovsk, which experienced over 40 Russian attacks. The situation in the Kursk region remains fluid, with Ukrainian military forces under pressure.