U.S. Officials in Moscow for Ceasefire Talks as Russia Rejects Proposal
U.S. officials have arrived in Moscow to discuss a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff landed on Thursday morning to push for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had agreed to earlier in the week during negotiations with the U.S.
However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov dismissed the proposal, stating that it would merely provide the Ukrainian military with a temporary respite to regroup. Ushakov added that while discussions were proceeding "in a calm manner," Russia sought a long-term resolution that aligned with its national interests rather than what he called "steps that only imitate peaceful actions."
The American visit coincides with Russia’s claim that its military has recaptured Sudzha, a key town in the Kursk region that Ukraine seized in a surprise attack last year.
During a visit to Kursk on Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin met with military commanders, who informed him that Russian forces had regained control of 86% of the region and were in the final phase of pushing Ukrainian troops out.
U.S. Pushes for Diplomatic Solution
Following a meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the U.S. now bore the responsibility of convincing Russia to accept the ceasefire proposal.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "The ball is truly in their [Russia's] court," emphasizing that peace negotiations were the only viable solution to ending the conflict.
Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, revealed that he had received "positive messages" regarding the possibility of a ceasefire but warned that "a positive message means nothing" in such a serious situation.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump argued that a ceasefire could be in Russia’s best interest but offered few details. He mentioned that ongoing discussions involved territorial concerns, including whether certain areas would be ceded or reclaimed.
To exert pressure on Russia, Trump suggested he had financial measures at his disposal. "That would be very bad for Russia," he warned, though he stressed his preference for a peaceful resolution.
Tensions in U.S.-Ukraine Relations
The Moscow talks mark a significant diplomatic step following a tense February 28 meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, which reportedly ended in a heated argument and a temporary suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing.
The Jeddah meeting helped restore cooperation, and Trump now believes that Zelensky and Ukraine’s leadership are more willing to pursue peace.
Trump did not disclose which U.S. officials were traveling to Moscow.Intense Fighting Continues in Ukraine Despite Ceasefire Talks
Even as discussions over a potential ceasefire continue, heavy fighting persists across Ukraine.
Overnight, Russian drones and missiles reportedly targeted multiple cities, including Kryvyy Rih—President Zelensky’s hometown—as well as Odesa, Dnipro, and Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, clashes are ongoing in Russia’s Kursk region, where Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian forces were “successfully advancing” and reclaiming areas previously held by Ukrainian troops.
Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in the region last August, initially seizing control of around 100 towns and villages. However, Russia has since recaptured most of that territory.
According to Russian media, President Vladimir Putin has instructed the military to “fully liberate” the region during his recent visit. He has yet to comment on the ceasefire proposal reached between Ukraine and the U.S. earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s military chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, suggested that Ukrainian forces were withdrawing from parts of Kursk. In a Telegram post, he emphasized that his priority remained “saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers” amid the intensifying battles.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment