Zelenskyy Says 'Manipulative’ Putin 'Preparing To Reject' Ceasefire After Russia Flags 'Nuances' In Proposal

Putin supports US proposal for 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but wants to discuss terms. Zelenskyy accuses Putin of manipulation and stalling, says Russia is the only one being unconstructive.

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 14 Mar 2025 07:39 AM (IST)

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), US President Donald Trump (center) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right)
Source : PTI

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that he agrees with a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but the terms need to be worked out, and he emphasised that it should pave the way to lasting peace.

“So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it,” Putin told a news conference in Moscow, as reported by AFP. “But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners.” “It needs more detailed work.”

Putin posed several questions on the broader issues with the ceasefire. He claimed that the ceasefire could give Ukraine a chance to rearm and regain momentum. 

"How will other aspects be dealt with along the 2000-kilometer contact line? As you know, the Russian troops are advancing practically in every sector of the contact line, and all the conditions are there for us to besiege fairly large units. So what would happen during those 30 days?" he questioned. 

He also asked about who would police the truce. "Who will give orders to cease hostilities? And what will these orders be worth, along 2000 kilometres? Who will decide where there’s been a violation of the possible ceasefire agreement along all along the 2000-kilometer line, and who will be blamed? Who will be blamed for violating the ceasefire?" he questioned again. 

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Putin's comments as 'very manipulative', and referred that Putin is 'actually preparing a refusal' to the proposal, but 'is afraid to say directly to US President Donald Trump that he wants to continue this war'.

What Zelenskyy said?

Speaking in his evening address, Zelenskyy said, "Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putin’s highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front lines—at this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it."

He added, "Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians. That’s why, in Moscow, they are surrounding the ceasefire idea with such preconditions that it either fails or gets dragged out for as long as possible. Putin does this often—he doesn’t say ‘no’ outright, but he drags things out and makes reasonable solutions impossible. We see this as yet another round of Russian manipulation."

"There was a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire—in the air, at sea, and on the front lines. We in Ukraine accepted this proposal. We have heard from the American side that there is readiness to organize monitoring and verification. And this is absolutely feasible—with American and European capabilities," he further said.

"And during the ceasefire, to prepare answers to all questions about long-term security and a real, lasting peace, and to put a plan to end the war on the table. Ukraine is ready to work as quickly and constructively as possible. We have discussed this with U.S. representatives, and our European partners, as well as all our allies worldwide, are aware of it. We are not setting conditions that complicate the process—Russia is. As we have always said, the only one stalling, the only one being unconstructive, is Russia. They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war day after day."

"Now is the time to increase pressure on him. Sanctions must be applied—ones that will work. We will continue working with our American and European partners and with everyone in the world who wants peace—to force Russia to end this war", he concluded.

Washington and Kyiv agreed on the 30-day ceasefire plan during talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with Kyiv taking the initiative after a turbulent two weeks in US-Ukrainian relations.

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Published at : 14 Mar 2025 07:25 AM (IST)
Tags :
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukraine RUSSIA PUTIN

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