Putin endorses idea of a ceasefire — with ‘nuances’ Zelensky says the statement is ‘manipulative’ but Trump thinks it’s ‘promising’

During a press conference on Thursday, Vladimir Putin said he supports the idea of a ceasefire with Ukraine but there are “nuances” that need to be addressed. This statement came two days after Kyiv expressed willingness to accept a proposed 30-day truce if Russia follows suit, based on a proposal put forward during talks between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Saudi Arabia on March 11. In his evening address on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin’s comments were “manipulative” and warned that Moscow is likely to reject or delay the proposed ceasefire. In turn, U.S. President Trump said that Putin gave “a very promising statement, but it wasn’t complete.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he supports the idea of a ceasefire with Ukraine but that it must result in “long-term peace.” He made these remarks during a joint press conference with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on Thursday, which was broadcast by the state news agency BelTA.

“We agree with the proposal to halt hostilities,” Putin said when asked about the U.S.-backed ceasefire initiative. “But we proceed from the premise that this cessation must lead to a long-term peace and address the root causes of the crisis.”

At the same time, he raised concerns about the ceasefire terms, saying a 30-day truce would benefit the Ukrainian side. “We support it, but there are nuances,” Putin said. “What will we do about [the Ukrainian army’s] incursion into the Kursk region? What does it mean if we halt hostilities for 30 days? That all [Ukrainian soldiers] there will simply leave without a fight?”

Then, Putin suggested that Russia discuss these issues with U.S. President Donald Trump. “The idea itself is the right one, and we certainly support it, but there are issues we need to discuss,” he said, emphasizing that Russia would negotiate an end to the war “based on how the situation develops on the ground.”

Ukraine has expressed readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire if Russia follows suit, based on a proposal put forward during talks between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Saudi Arabia on March 11. In his evening address on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin’s statement as “manipulative” and called for additional sanctions to put pressure on the Russian leader.

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“He is actually preparing a rejection [of the ceasefire proposal] as of now,” Zelensky said. “Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians. And that’s why [officials] in Moscow are setting preconditions for a ceasefire that won’t work at all or will [delay it] as long as possible.” 

“We do not set conditions that complicate anything. Russia is doing this,” Zelensky added. “The only one who will delay everything [and] be unconstructive is Russia. They need the war.”

President Trump also commented on Putin’s response, saying it was “promising” but incomplete. “He put out a very promising statement, but it wasn’t complete,” Trump told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday. “I’d love to meet with them or talk to him, but we have to get it over with fast. You know, every day, people are being killed.”

Trump added that the U.S. has been discussing with Kyiv what territory “would be kept and lost” as part of a final peace deal. “So a lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed,” he said. 

“Now we’re going to see whether or not Russia is there, and if they’re not, it’ll be a very disappointing moment for the world,” Trump added.

Asked what “leverage” the U.S. has over Putin, Trump declined to offer any details. “I do have leverage, but I don’t want to talk about leverage now, because right now we’re talking to them, and based on the statements he made today, they were pretty positive I think,” he said.