U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine would 'give nothing' to Russia, says Kremlin aide
CBC
The ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia proposed by the U.S. would "give nothing" to Russia, while helping Kyiv by giving its weary and short-handed military a break, a Kremlin aide said on Thursday.
"A 30-day temporary ceasefire. Well, what does it give us? It gives us nothing. It only gives the Ukrainians an opportunity to regroup, gain strength and, to continue the same thing," Yuri Ushakov told Russian media.
His comments follow claims by Russia's Defence Ministry that its troops have driven the Ukrainian army out of the biggest town in Russia's Kursk border region. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment on the claim, which could not be independently verified.
The ministry's statement on recapturing the town of Sudzha came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited his commanders in Kursk and wore military fatigues, could not be independently verified.
The renewed Russian military push and Putin's high-profile visit to his troops came as U.S. President Donald Trump pressed for a diplomatic end to the three-year war the previous day. Trump said Wednesday that "it's up to Russia now" and he made veiled threats to hit Russia with new sanctions if it won't engage with peace efforts.
"We can, but I hope it's not going to be necessary. Sure, we can pressure. We can do that with Russia," Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday when asked about possible sanctions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that U.S. negotiators were on their way to Russia, but added he wouldn't comment on Moscow's view of the ceasefire proposal because talks "haven't started yet."
Senior U.S. officials say they hope to see Russia stop attacks on Ukraine within the next few days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz spoke Wednesday with his Russian counterpart. She also confirmed that Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will head to Moscow for talks with Russian officials, possibly including Putin.
Russian news agencies reported Thursday that Witkoff's plane had landed in Moscow. It wasn't immediately possible to verify the reports.
Senior U.S. officials say they hope to see Russia stop attacks on Ukraine within the next few days.
But Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, complained in televised remarks on Thursday that a ceasefire would grant a "temporary break for the Ukrainian military."
Ushakov said that Moscow wants a "long-term peaceful settlement that takes into account Moscow's interests and concerns." His comments came a day after his phone call with Waltz.
Ushakov's comments echoed statements from Putin, who has repeatedly said a temporary ceasefire would benefit Ukraine and its Western allies.
