pajhwok logo Putin sets out tough conditions for Ukraine ceasefire author avatar Khwaja Nasir Sediqi 14 Mar 2025 – 13:42 Views: 57 KABUL (Pajhwok): Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he agrees with the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but that “questions” remain about the nature of a truce – as he set out a number of tough conditions for peace. The Russian leader was responding to a plan for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to earlier this week following talks with the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin’s response to the plan as “manipulative” and called for more sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, the US placed further sanctions on Russian oil, gas and banking sectors

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin’s response to the plan as “manipulative” and called for more sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, the US placed further sanctions on Russian oil, gas and banking sectors. Russian officials said Putin was expected to hold talks on the ceasefire on Thursday evening with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who had flown to Moscow earlier that day. Late on Thursday and overnight, both Russia and Ukraine reported new enemy drone attacks.

A ceasefire should lead to “an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis”, Putin said. “We need to negotiate with our American colleagues and partners,” he said. “Maybe I’ll have a call with Donald Trump.” Putin added: “It will be good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a 30-day ceasefire. “We are in favour of it, but there are nuances.” One of the areas of contention is Russia’s western Kursk region, Putin said, where Ukraine launched a military incursion last August and captured some territory. He claimed Russia was fully back in control of Kursk, and said Ukrainian troops there “have been isolated”.

A ceasefire should lead to “an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis”, Putin said. “We need to negotiate with our American colleagues and partners,” he said. “Maybe I’ll have a call with Donald Trump.” Putin added: “It will be good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a 30-day ceasefire. “We are in favour of it, but there are nuances.” One of the areas of contention is Russia’s western Kursk region, Putin said, where Ukraine launched a military incursion last August and captured some territory. He claimed Russia was fully back in control of Kursk, and said Ukrainian troops there “have been isolated”.