It is thought the Kremlin will give a formal ‘positive’ response to the proposal, but ultimately seek huge concessions
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Putin is thought to demand massive concessions (Image: Getty)
Vladimir Putin could “hold hostage” the US ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to so that Russia can extract concessions before formal talks to end the war have even started, experts have warned. The Kremlin may also “demand a halt to weapons supplies to Ukraine to as a condition of agreeing to the temporary ceasefire”, a source close to the Kremlin has reportedly said. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note they did not specify if this would include all international weapons provisions to Ukraine, or only those from select countries.
Suspending US or other military assistance to Volodymyr Zelensky‘s troops during a ceasefire would be “extremely advantageous” to Russia” , it added. This is because Russia continues to receive critical supplies and assistance from Iran, North Korea, and China. “Such an enormous concession would also destroy US leverage in future negotiations, in addition to violating the conditions under which Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire in the first place,” the ISW added.
The ISW notes senior US and Ukrainian officials have said that the purpose of the temporary ceasefire is for Russia and Ukraine to “demonstrate their willingness for peace and that the temporary ceasefire and negotiations to end the war are separate matters”.
Although, the Kremlin “may intend to conjoin them”.
Donald Trump‘s Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on March 11 after talks in Jeddah that the best goodwill gesture Russia can give would be to accept the ceasefire proposal.
If Russia says no, he added, “then we’ll know the impediment to peace”.
Russian opposition outlet Verstka reported yesterday that a source close to Putin’s administration stated that the Kremlin would “formally” give a “positive response” to the temporary ceasefire proposal but would also demand “impossible conditions” to which Ukraine cannot agree.
The ISW added that Putin wants to “remove Ukraine from talks so that Russia can engage in negotiations with the United States alone while also ‘correcting the situation on the front’ to strengthen Russia‘s negotiating position.”
It then wrote: “A Kremlin source added that the conditions of the temporary ceasefire ‘must suit Russia‘ and that Russia‘s agreement to a temporary ceasefire during which Ukraine continues to receive weapons and financing from its partners and allies is ‘stupid’.”
Putin visited Kursk in military fatigues yesterday (Image: Getty)
Welcome to our live blog as the US presents its ceasefire proposal to the Kremlin.
Talks were held between officials from Donald Trump‘s administration and Ukraine on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.
It is hoped the arrangement will stop the fighting, at least temporarily.
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