Russia Dismisses Ceasefire Proposal, Says It Only Benefits Ukraine’s Military

The Kremlin is not interested in a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, instead seeking a long-term resolution, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said, according to Russian media RBC on March 13.

Speaking on state television Russia-1, Ushakov dismissed ceasefire proposals as merely giving Ukrainian forces a chance to regroup.

“This is nothing more than a temporary pause for Ukraine’s military,” he stated, as quoted by RBC. “Steps that merely imitate peace efforts are of no use to anyone.”

Ushakov added that Russian leader Vladimir Putin might offer “more concrete and substantive assessments” of the ceasefire proposal later on March 13.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering DIsinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, stated that Ushakov’s words on the ceasefire are not Russia’s official refusal, Putin makes the decision.

“Russia traditionally tries to distort reality and present itself as the 'main peacemaker'. This is how one can interpret Ushakov’s words about not being interested in a short-term ceasefire for 30 days,” said Kovalenko.

He emphasized that Ushakov is manipulating and demonstrating that Russia allegedly still wants “peace” and that the ceasefire is “not the way to peace.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he expects to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week, expressing optimism about securing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

His comments follow Ukraine’s decision to accept a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire during talks between American and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.

“It takes two to tango,” Trump said, emphasizing that Russia must also agree to the plan proposed by US and Ukrainian officials. “I hope to have a total ceasefire in the coming days.”