Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday dismissed former President Trump’s proposed 30-day cease-fire in Ukraine, insisting that Western nations must stop arming Kyiv before Moscow would consider agreeing to the terms.
While expressing a willingness to “cease hostilities,” Putin emphasized that Russia would only accept the Trump-brokered deal if it were substantially altered.
“We agree with proposals to cease hostilities [in Ukraine], but this cessation must lead to a long-term peace and eliminate the root cause of the initial crisis,” Putin stated, without clarifying what he believed was the cause of the conflict.
The Russian president also demanded that Ukraine guarantee that it would not mobilize troops, train soldiers, or receive weapons during the cease-fire period — without indicating whether Russia would adhere to the same conditions.
Putin’s remarks followed the arrival of US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for diplomatic talks with Russian leaders about the proposed cease-fire.
Earlier in the day, Putin’s aides strongly criticized Trump’s plan. Yuri Ushakov, a senior Russian diplomat and former ambassador to the United States, condemned the cease-fire offer as “useless to everyone.”
“These kinds of steps, which only mimic peace efforts, are useless to everyone,” Ushakov stated during an interview on Russian state television.
Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans celebrated Trump’s efforts in persuading Ukraine to accept the cease-fire proposal, hailing it as a diplomatic victory.
“Peace for Ukraine is in our nation’s best interest, which is why President Trump has made it one of his administration’s top priorities,” said Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) on social media platform X.
When questioned whether Russia would support the cease-fire deal that Ukraine had already agreed to, Ushakov dismissed the idea, claiming the agreement offered “nothing” for Moscow.
“It only gives the Ukrainians the opportunity to regroup, gain strength and to continue (defending their country),” Ushakov stated.
He described the cease-fire as a “temporary respite” for Ukraine’s military and shared his views following a call with the US national security adviser, Mike Waltz. The two officials had spoken after Waltz’s recent meeting with Ukrainian leaders in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Critics have pointed out that Russia would similarly benefit from a pause in fighting, allowing its forces to regroup — a concern raised by some Ukrainians who opposed the cease-fire deal.
Despite Moscow’s refusal, Witkoff’s arrival in Russia was seen as a chance for Putin to show his willingness for peace, just as Ukraine had demonstrated by agreeing to Trump’s proposal in Jeddah.
Although Kyiv’s acceptance of the cease-fire was met with mixed reactions in Ukraine, officials said the move was intended to display good faith and signal their desire for peace.
Trump himself commented on the situation, saying “it’s up to Russia now” to accept the cease-fire and work toward peace in the region.
John Hardie, Russia Program Director at the Foundation for Defending Democracies, said the Jeddah meeting had shifted responsibility onto Russia.
“If Moscow refuses to play ball, President Trump should make good on his threat to ramp up economic pressure on Russia. This should include tightening sanctions on Russia’s oil revenue,” Hardie said.
Ukrainian soldiers and officials have voiced doubts about a cease-fire despite growing diplomatic pressure.
“Why would we stop fighting? We can’t. This is our home,” a soldier stationed in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, near the Russian border, told reporters.
Just two weeks before Kyiv accepted Trump’s cease-fire offer, Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Oleh Ivashchenko warned that it was Russia — not Ukraine — that urgently required a cease-fire to stabilize its economy, regroup its military, and prepare for renewed aggression.
While Ukrainian officials emphasized their willingness to cooperate with the Trump cease-fire proposal to prove their commitment to peace, they clarified that their forces remained prepared to continue defending their country if Russia refused to engage constructively.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) praised Trump’s diplomatic efforts, criticizing Putin for rejecting the offer.
“Woke war criminal Putin doesn’t get to play the victim,” Wilson said.
“President Trump graciously offered Putin a way out of this insanity. Problem is Putin does not want peace, he wants Ukraine,” Wilson added.
