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Russian Presidential Security Adviser Yuri Ushakov sharply criticised the agreement between the US and Ukraine on a temporary ceasefire, calling it an “imitation of a peace process”. This happened a few hours before Vladimir Putin’s speech, who is expected to personally announce the Kremlin’s official position on this initiative.
What did Ushakov say?
In his comments, quoted by RIA Novosti, Ushakov called the 30-day ceasefire “a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military” rather than a real attempt to end the war.
- “These are steps that imitate the peace process and are not needed by anyone,” Putin’s adviser said.
- He stressed that Moscow is seeking “a long-term settlement that takes into account Russia’s interests”.
- At the same time, Ushakov stressed that his words were his personal opinion, not the official position of the Kremlin.
This statement came before Putin’s speech, which, according to sources, is expected to present a more detailed position on the US-Ukraine initiative.
Moscow will not respond to the “rhetoric” of Kyiv and Washington
Ushakov’s position was echoed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. She said that Russia views the statements made by Kyiv and Washington after the Jeddah talks as public rhetoric and will not be guided by them.
So far, Putin has not commented on the idea of a truce. He is expected to do so after a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko, who arrived in Moscow on Thursday.
Interestingly, at the same time as Lukashenka, Donald Trump’s representative, Steven Vitkoff, arrived in Moscow. His visit may indicate the beginning of unofficial contacts between the Kremlin and the Trump team amid a possible change in the political landscape in the United States.
What does this criticism mean?
Judging by Ushakov’s and Zakharova’s comments, the Kremlin is not ready to support a temporary ceasefire, as it sees it as a pause that would be beneficial for Ukraine and the West. At the same time, the fact that Moscow did not immediately reject the proposal may indicate certain diplomatic manoeuvres, especially in view of the visit of the Trump representative.
It is expected that in the coming days the Kremlin will give an official response that will determine the further course of events in the war.
