The Kremlin has voiced skepticism about the potential for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, with Russian presidential aide Yuriy Ushakov labeling the agreement as little more than a temporary pause intended merely to benefit the Ukrainian military.
During conversations held on March 12 and 13, 2025, Ushakov underscored Moscow's goal of achieving long-term peace reforms. "We believe our goal is long-term peaceful settlement, which takes our legal interests and concerns seriously," he stated, emphasizing the need for any ceasefire agreement to account for Russia's priorities.
The backdrop to this development centers on recent negotiations involving both Ukrainian representatives and the United States. During discussions conducted within Saudi Arabia, US officials proposed the ceasefire—an initiative offered without preconditions. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky observed the proposal’s limitations, indicating Kyiv would only support temporary pauses concerning air and sea warfare. Yet, under pressure from the US delegation, Ukraine conceded to the call for broader ceasefire terms.
Reflecting on this negotiated outcome, Ushakov remarked, "A temporary ceasefire for Ukrainian troops, nothing more." He articulated concern about the effectiveness of the agreement, positing, "It gives only the opportunity for Ukrainians to regroup and gain strength to continue similar military actions."
Ushakov maintained consistent communication with US National Security Aide Mike Woltz as part of this dialogue, aimed at negotiating the language and requirements surrounding any potential ceasefire. Hints indicate Russia has communicated its conditions to Washington, demanding aspects such as abandoning Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and ensuring legal admissions of its rights over certain territories. Ushakov firmly stated, "Steps imitating peaceful actions are not needed by anyone. We aim for genuine resolution. Such imitative steps are obsolete and unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, amid the negotiations and diplomatic tensions, US President Donald Trump revealed discussions with Putin are anticipated within the week, as he acknowledged the potential repercussions of failed negotiations. Trump asserted, "This would be very bad for Russia. I do not want to do it," highlighting the threat of "destructive" financial sanctions looming should progress stall.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has echoed the sentiment of assessing Russia's intentions heavily based on their reaction to the agreements finalized during the talks on March 11, 2025. He noted, "If their response is positive, we will know we have made progress, and there is genuine potential for peace. Otherwise, their intentions will be plainly obvious."
On March 13, Peskov informed the media of Ushakov's previous conversation with Woltz, affirming the atmosphere between the factions had transitioned compared to styles adopted during the Biden administration. Ongoing productive exchanges between Russia and US representatives have continued to solidify diplomatic channels.
The Kremlin’s current hesitations about adopting temporary ceasefires can be attributed to a consistent belief among Russian officials about the necessity of thorough solutions respectful of regional interests. This perspective indicates both nations require foundational dialogues grounded more significantly within long-term visions to avoid misrepresented actions and outcomes.
The future of peace negotiations remains uncertain, though the anticipated storytelling from President Putin today is expected to offer additional clarity on Russia’s strategies and expectations on how to advance dialogue surrounding these contentious issues. The international community watches closely, hoping for effective outcomes amid turbulent geopolitical landscapes.