Putin won’t agree to Ukraine ceasefire, Kremlin says
Aide to Russian dictator Yuri Ushakov (Photo: TASS)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, rejected a proposed temporary ceasefire from the United States and Ukraine, calling it nothing more than a "break for Ukrainian forces." Russia, he claimed, has no interest in "steps that imitate peace efforts," he said on Russian state television on March 13.
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."
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
