Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has agreed to the US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that halting hostility must address the underlying cause of the conflict.
Speaking at a press conference in the Kremlin following consultations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, President Putin said many details need to be resolved. Putin also said he is open to discussing the issue with US President Donald Trump.
Despite relatively positive comments, Bitcoin prices continue to fall:
“We agree with a proposal to stop hostilities, but we are moving from the fact that this suspension should be a way to lead to long-term peace and eliminate the underlying causes of this crisis,” Putin told reporters.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, sparking the most important conflict between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. The Russian army has been making progress since mid-2024 and now controls almost a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, strengthening its demands for diplomatic solutions.
Vowing to end the war, Trump said at the White House on Wednesday that the Kremlin wanted the US to accept the 30-day ceasefire proposal. Ukraine has shown support for the plan, saying Trump is an effort to end the ongoing “Bloodbath.”
Putin thanked Trump for his efforts to mediate peace, but said more negotiations were needed. “The idea itself is the right thing and we absolutely support it,” he said. “But there is an issue that needs to be discussed. I think we need to talk to our American colleagues too.”
Putin also raised the possibility of a direct meeting with Trump to further consider the ceasefire initiative. “We support the idea of ending this conflict peacefully,” he repeated.
*This is not investment advice.
