U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning of “terrible” repercussions if Russia does not comply with the proposed 30-day ceasefire agreement.
The proposal gained momentum following Trump’s remarks that he could impose severe economic consequences on Russia if it refuses to sign the agreement, following recent talks in Saudi Arabia.
“I can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia. I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace,” Trump stated on Tuesday night.
Ukraine’s Stance on the Ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his willingness to accept the ceasefire agreement but emphasized that it hinges on the United States’ ability to persuade Russia to commit to it as well.
During a recent address, Zelensky cautioned Ukraine’s allies about Putin’s true intentions, warning them to remain skeptical of Russia’s commitment to peace and avoid falling victim to deception.
Following the Saudi Arabia talks, Zelensky directed his message toward key partners, including the United States and European nations, both of whom have backed Ukraine since his contentious meeting with Trump in Washington.
“The key factor is our partners’ ability to ensure Russia’s readiness not to deceive but to genuinely end the war. Because right now, Russian strikes have not stopped,” Zelensky asserted.
Russian Attacks Continue Despite Ceasefire Talks
Despite discussions about a ceasefire, Russian missile attacks continued, striking Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown. The attack resulted in the death of a 47-year-old woman and left five others injured.
Additional missile strikes were reported in Odesa and Dnipro, damaging residential buildings and wounding at least one individual.
Following the Saudi Arabia negotiations, Trump acknowledged receiving “some positive messages” from the Kremlin, indicating that diplomatic efforts were underway. However, he remained cautious, stating, “A positive message means nothing… this is a very serious situation.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the next move lies with Russia, while UK Defence Secretary John Healey issued a direct challenge to Putin, declaring, “Over to you, President Putin. You want to talk? Prove it.”
Russia’s Response to the Ceasefire Proposal
So far, the Russian government has not accepted the ceasefire proposal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged caution, stating that it was “too early to speculate” on Moscow’s response, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Putin visited the Kursk region, a key frontline in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Clad in military attire, he reiterated his objective to “completely liberate” the occupied territories.
Kursk, bordering Ukraine’s Sumy region, was briefly occupied by Ukrainian forces in August last year, marking the first time since World War II that Russian territory had been taken. In a defiant speech on Russian television, Putin vowed to classify captured Ukrainian soldiers as “terrorists” rather than prisoners of war.
Putin also signaled an interest in establishing a demilitarized zone along Ukraine’s border. Furthermore, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin, reportedly held discussions with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, according to the Russian Interfax news agency.
Poland Seeks U.S. Nuclear Support Amid Rising Tensions
Amid concerns over Russia’s continued aggression, NATO-member Poland has requested that the United States station nuclear warheads within its borders. Polish President Andrzej Duda, speaking to the Financial Times, stressed the necessity of this strategic move as a deterrent against potential Russian threats.
“The borders of NATO moved east in 1999, so 26 years later there should also be a shift of the NATO infrastructure east. For me, this is obvious,” Duda stated.
He further emphasized that “the time has come” for NATO’s nuclear capabilities to be expanded into Eastern Europe, arguing that doing so would enhance regional security and act as a preventative measure against further Russian incursions.
As tensions escalate, the world now waits to see whether Russia will agree to the ceasefire or if the conflict will intensify further.
