US officials have arrived in Moscow to engage in discussions on a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff landed on Thursday morning, aiming to persuade Russia to accept a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had already agreed to earlier this week during talks with the United States.
However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov downplayed the proposal, stating that discussions were “proceeding calmly” but ultimately rejecting the ceasefire plan. He argued that it would merely provide the Ukrainian military with an opportunity to regroup, rather than contribute to a long-term resolution.
The American delegation’s visit coincides with the Russian military’s claim that it has successfully recaptured Sudzha, a strategically important town in the Kursk region. Ukraine had taken control of Sudzha last year in a surprise offensive.
Speaking on Thursday, presidential aide Ushakov said the truce proposals were “nothing but a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing else.”
“Our aim is long-lasting peaceful settlement which takes account of our country’s legitimate interests and concerns. No one need such steps that only imitate peaceful actions,” he told Russian state TV.
He added that a “normal exchange of opinions” between Russia and the US was “taking place in a calm manner”.
Following the talks between US and Ukraine in Jeddah on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was now up to the US to convince Russia to agree to the “positive” proposal.
Yesterday Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the “ball is truly in their [Russia’s] court” and that the US believes the only way to end the fighting was through peace negotiations.
On Wednesday Trump said he had received “positive messages” about the possibility of a ceasefire.
“But a positive message means nothing,” he said. “This is a very serious situation.”
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