President Trump’s envoy has landed in Moscow to negotiate a potentially historic ceasefire in Ukraine, as Vladimir Putin signals openness to the proposal while raising critical security concerns. The high-stakes talks have already resulted in President Vladimir Putin saying “yes” to a conditional ceasefire.
At a glance:
• Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine
• President Putin expressed support for the ceasefire proposal but demanded security guarantees for Russia
• Putin questioned what would happen during the ceasefire, expressing concerns about Ukrainian forces regrouping
• The US-Ukrainian agreement was reached during talks in Saudi Arabia, with Trump resuming military support to Ukraine
• Putin has suggested direct discussions with President Trump to address his concerns about the proposal
Trump Team Pushes for Peace in Moscow
An American delegation led by President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday for critical negotiations on a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. The diplomatic mission represents the most significant effort yet by the Trump administration to fulfill campaign promises of quickly ending the devastating conflict.
The ceasefire proposal emerged from recent talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking a potential turning point in the two-year war. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the current diplomatic push as “the closest we have been to peace in this war” and “part of our continued efforts to press Russia to agree to a ceasefire and stop its brutal war against Ukraine.”
Russia says no peacekeepers in Ukraine ‘under any conditions’ as Trump reups threat of ‘devastating’ sanctions | Diana Glebova, New York Post
The Russian government issued its strongest statement yet Wednesday against a provisional cease-fire agreed by the US and Ukraine a day… pic.twitter.com/SH8REsClzC
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) March 13, 2025
Putin Open But Cautious About Ceasefire Terms
President Vladimir Putin has expressed tentative support for the ceasefire proposal, stating he is “for it” while raising several substantive concerns about Russia’s security during and after any cessation of hostilities. His cautious approach reflects the complex military and political calculations at play as Russian forces claim to be retaking territory in the Kursk Oblast from Ukrainian troops.
Putin specifically questioned what would happen during the ceasefire period, asking whether Ukrainian forces would withdraw or surrender and who would monitor potential violations. The Russian leader has suggested direct discussions with President Trump to address these concerns, signaling a preference for leader-to-leader diplomacy over working through intermediaries.
The Kremlin has been officially noncommittal on the proposal, with Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating they are scrutinizing its details before making formal comments. Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov described the ceasefire proposal as “hasty” and emphasized the need to consider Russia’s strategic position in any negotiated settlement.
Complex Challenges to Lasting Peace
The ceasefire negotiations face significant obstacles still, with divergent views on territorial control, war crimes allegations, and international relations complicating the path to a comprehensive settlement. Ukrainian officials have expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions, with parliamentarian Yehor Cherniev suggesting Moscow might be attempting to “waste time” or impose unacceptable conditions.
President Trump has made clear the consequences if Russia rejects the peace terms, warning, “That would be very bad for Russia… I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace.” The administration’s resumption of military and intelligence support to Ukraine following the Saudi Arabia talks demonstrates Trump’s willingness to back diplomacy with strength.
Russia is expected to also demand recognition of eastern Ukrainian territories as Russian sovereign land, a position that directly conflicts with Ukrainian and Western views on the conflict. But as Trump says…Ukraine doesn’t have the cards.
