Putin Willing to Discuss Ceasefire, but Under Certain Conditions, Bloomberg Says

Russia is open to discussing a temporary truce in Ukraine, but only if there is progress toward a final peace settlement, Bloomberg reported on March 7, citing sources familiar with the matter in Moscow.

According to the report, this marks the first positive signal from Russian leader Vladimir Putin in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for a ceasefire. The proposal was reportedly conveyed during last month’s talks in Saudi Arabia between senior Russian and American officials.

Bloomberg notes that Russia would require a clear framework for a final peace agreement before agreeing to halt hostilities. Sources familiar with the discussions said Moscow insists on defining the parameters of a peacekeeping mission, including which countries would be involved.

The details come as the U.S. and Ukraine prepare for direct talks in Saudi Arabia next week, their first meeting since Trump’s Oval Office dispute with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff told Bloomberg that the discussions aim to establish “a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, Bloomberg wrote.

The report also highlights that Russia has rejected the idea of NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine under any agreement. However, Moscow does not object to neutral countries such as China participating in a peacekeeping mission, Bloomberg notes.

Previously, it was reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has no information on whether a Russian delegation will be present at the meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia on March 12.