Summary

Russia criticized a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it merely a “reprieve” for Ukrainian forces.

Moscow, holding recent battlefield gains, sees little incentive to halt fighting without major concessions.

Steven Witkoff, Donald Trump’s envoy, arrived in Russia for peace negotiations, following Ukraine’s acceptance of the ceasefire proposal. Russia rejected the idea of deploying Western peacekeepers, threatening to target them.

Putin is expected to present maximalist demands, including demilitarizing Ukraine and halting Western military aid, complicating prospects for a negotiated settlement.