Photo: Ukraine ceasefire calls for a complete 30-day ceasefire (GettyImages) Author: Anna Berezina
The United States has proposed that Ukraine and Russia establish a full 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward ending the war. Kyiv has supported the idea, provided that Moscow agrees. However, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has already put forward a number of conditions, including mobilization and military aid to Ukraine.
For more information on what the 30-day ceasefire entails and the positions of the parties, see the RBC-Ukraine article.
Content:
- Complete truce: what is the essence
- Why a 30-day ceasefire
- Position of Ukraine
- What Putin said about the ceasefire
- What will happen if Russia does not agree?
Complete truce: what is the essence
The idea of a temporary ceasefire was agreed upon at negotiations between Ukrainian and US delegations in Jeddah on March 11.
Washington proposed establishing a temporary ceasefire for 30 days with the possibility of extending it by mutual agreement of the parties.
The ceasefire must be complete, meaning that we are talking about stopping missile and drone attacks in the air, as well as at sea and on land, including the line of combat contact.
It should be noted that on the eve of the negotiations, Kyiv proposed a ceasefire in the air and at sea. However, the US proposed to extend the ceasefire to the entire front line, to which Ukraine agreed, subject to the mutual consent of the Russian Federation. Washington took on the obligation to convey the proposal to Moscow.
Why a 30-day ceasefire
It is proposed to establish a ceasefire for 30 days in order to prevent the conflict from “freezing”.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and a member of the delegation at the negotiations with the US, Andriy Sybiga, explained, the temporary ceasefire is an attempt to begin the path to a just end to the war.
“Why is this temporary ceasefire important? Because this is in no way about a frozen conflict. It is only about an attempt to begin the path to ending the war in a fair way,” Sibiga noted.
According to the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Zhovkva, the 30-day ceasefire period could become a test of the seriousness of Russia’s intentions.
“This period is very simply explained: it is within 30 days that it will be possible to check how conscientious the Russian Federation will be and will not violate the ceasefire. This is the so-called test period, when all parties must be committed to the relevant agreement,” says Zhovkva.
Position of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine agreed to the US proposal for a full ceasefire in order to show its readiness for peace.
At the same time, as the head of state emphasized, for the ceasefire to work, Russia must agree to it. Therefore, the key task of the United States is to convince the other side to support this decision.
“We agree, and if the ‘Russians’ agree, silence will begin at that very moment,” the president explained.
If the 30-day ceasefire is observed, Kyiv, together with its partners, will be able to prepare working documents that guarantee long-term peace and security, Zelensky added.
“Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must also show its readiness to end the war or continue the war. The time has come for the full truth,” he concluded.
What Putin said about the ceasefire
Russia paused for more than a day before announcing its official position. During this time, officials made skeptical predictions privately, and propagandists called the ceasefire “the greatest stupidity.”
On March 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin finally announced that he supported a 30-day ceasefire, but “with nuances.”
In his opinion, the ceasefire should be one that “will lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis.”
Putin spoke out against mobilization, training of troops and continued military aid from the West during the ceasefire in Ukraine. He also expressed concern about who would control the ceasefire.
“How will Ukraine use these 30 days? Will it continue mobilization and stock up on weapons? And if not, who will control that none of this happens? Who will determine whether the ceasefire is violated,” Putin reasons.
The Russian dictator also touched on the issue of military actions in the Kursk region. He believes that Ukrainian soldiers will be able to leave there in two ways: surrender or die.
“If we stop military actions for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone who is there will leave without a fight? Should we let them out of there after they have committed a lot of crimes against civilians? Or will the Ukrainian leadership give them the order to lay down their arms, just surrender? How will that happen?” the Kremlin leader says.
As Putin summed up, the idea of a ceasefire is correct, and the Russian Federation supports it, but “there remain issues that need to be discussed.”
It should be noted that on March 13, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to meet with Russian representatives and, possibly, with the Russian President.
What will happen if Russia does not agree?
US President Donald Trump expressed hope that the United States would be able to achieve a ceasefire from Russia, but if the Kremlin refused, it would be a “very disappointing moment for the world.”
“We would like to see a ceasefire from Russia… Many of the details of the final agreement have already been discussed. Now we'll see if Russia is there, and if not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world,” Trump said.
The head of the White House called today's statement by the Russian president on the truce promising, but incomplete. He confirmed his readiness to discuss this issue with Vladimir Putin.
Trump previously threatened “devastating” consequences if Putin decides to continue the war, including increased sanctions.
“There are things you can do that are not going to be pleasant financially. I can do things financially. That would be very bad for Russia. I don't want to do that because I want peace.” These “financial things” could be “devastating” for Moscow,” Trump said.
In turn, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent allowed for the introduction of the toughest sanctions against Russia. According to him, if necessary, the decision will be made without hesitation.
The minister explained that such steps are part of Trump's plan to prepare for successful peace talks. The US president “is ready to exert maximum pressure on both sides,” Bessent noted.
The following were used in preparing the material: statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a Facebook post by Andriy Sybiga, publications by CNBC, SkyNews, Ukrinform, and RIA Novosti.
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