Russia has rejected the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire which came out of the Jeddah meeting with Ukraine, describing that it would only allow Ukrainian forces to regroup.
"This is nothing other than a temporary time-out for Ukrainian soldiers, nothing more. Our goal is a long-term peaceful resolution," Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told Russian state television. "Steps that imitate peaceful actions are not needed." He further expressed that it would "give nothing" to Russia.
Russian President Putin came to visit the headquarters of the Kursk operation, dressed in military uniform. This does not seem like a signal that he is ready for a 'bad' peace.
— Sašo Ornik (@ornik_saso) March 12, 2025
Russia does not need a ceasefire, Ukraine needs a ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/aJ9jsiescX
This was the first official public response on the issue from the Kremlin, after it said Wednesday it was "studying" the proposal. President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is currently en route to Moscow to discuss the temporary truce proposal.
Ushakov says he has communicated Moscow's rejection of the 30-day ceasefire plan to Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz.
None of this comes as a great surprise, given not only that Russian forces have the clear battlefield momentum and upper-hand, but back in January President Putin explained why he would never settle for any ceasefire that's temporary.
He had said at the time, "The goal should not be a short truce, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament with the aim of subsequently continuing the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all nations living in this region."
The Russian leader had on Wednesday visited Kursk region for the first time since Ukraine's incursion there and holding of territory which began in August.
"Our immediate goal is as soon as possible to conclusively destroy the enemy entrenched on the territory of Kursk region," Putin said.
And the optics and symbolism were not missed on Russia's enemies, as Putin was dressed in military fatigues as he addressed top generals, which is a rarity.
