Putin appreciates Trump’s efforts in promoting a ceasefire, but refrains from confirming acceptance

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered an address on Thursday expressing gratitude towards President Donald Trump for his efforts to bring an end to the hostilities in Ukraine. Despite acknowledging the 30-day ceasefire proposal, Putin emphasized the importance of achieving lasting peace in the region.

During a news conference in Moscow, Putin carefully articulated his position, stating, “The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it. But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners.”

“While acknowledging the merit of halting the fighting as proposed, Putin stressed that the ultimate goal should be to establish a sustainable peace and address the root causes of the crisis to ensure long-term stability,” Putin added.

From left, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security advisor Mike Waltz meet with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Saudi National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 18, 2025. (Associated Press)

Russia ramped up its barrage of missile and drone attacks after the U.S. paused military aid and intelligence sharing after Trump suggested he didn’t believe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was “serious” about peace. 

The comments came following an Oval Office blow-up when Zelenskyy refused to sign a mineral deal without security guarantees from the U.S. 

Vice President JD Vance accused the Ukrainian president of being “disrespectful.”

But following the successful talks with Ukraine in Jeddah this week, the U.S. immediately lifted its aid and intelligence pause. 

“Ukraine is committed to moving quickly toward peace, and we are prepared to do our part in creating all of the conditions for a reliable, durable, and decent peace,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X Thursday. “I thank our teams for the fact that military aid and intelligence sharing resumed.

“Ukraine was ready for an air and sea ceasefire, but the U.S. proposed extending it to land. Ukraine welcomes this proposal,” he added.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press conference at the Ukraine peace summit in Obbürgen, Switzerland, on June 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Zelenskyy said Putin’s thus far silence on the ceasefire proposal “once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible.” 

“We hope that U.S. pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war,” he added.