Ushakov insisted that Moscow is seeking a "long-term peaceful settlement" that considers Russia’s so-called "interests and concerns."
"Steps that merely imitate peace efforts regarding Ukraine are unnecessary," Putin’s aide said.
He added that Putin may provide "more specific and substantive assessments" of the ceasefire proposal later in the day.
Ukraine’s response: Russia manipulating the narrative
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, noted that Ushakov’s statement does not constitute an official rejection, as such decisions ultimately rest with Putin.
"Russia is once again trying to distort reality and portray itself as the ‘chief peacemaker,’" Kovalenko said. "That’s precisely how Ushakov’s comments about rejecting a short-term 30-day ceasefire should be interpreted."
He accused Ushakov of manipulating peace rhetoric to "keep a window of opportunity open for continuing the war."
Earlier on March 13, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the Kremlin was willing to discuss the US and Ukrainian ceasefire proposal. She claimed that contacts with the US side "could take place as early as today."
Meanwhile, a plane carrying Trump’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, Steve Witkoff, has already landed in Moscow. The White House previously stated that Witkoff plans to meet with Putin to discuss the ceasefire proposal.
The 30-day ceasefire initiative was introduced by US officials during negotiations with Ukraine in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine is open to a temporary truce if Russia agrees. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would deliver the proposal to Moscow "through multiple channels."