Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide on Thursday dismissed the United States’ 30-day ceasefire proposal for Russia’s war with Ukraine, saying it would merely provide Ukraine’s military with a temporary respite from fighting.
In an interview with Russian state television and state news agency RIA Novsiti, Putin adviser and former Ambassador to the U.S. Yuri Ushakov, said, “Our goal is a long-term peace settlement. And we are looking forward to a peace settlement which takes into account our legitimate interests and our concerns, which are known.”
Ushakov added, “No one needs any steps that imitate peaceful actions in this situation.”
His comments came as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to continue talks with Russian officials on the ceasefire proposal. In his comments, Ushakov confirmed that he has been in regular contact with White House national security adviser Mike Walz and said they agreed these contacts would remain confidential.
In his comments, Ushakov indicated he thinks the U.S. will consider Russia’s position as the talks progress. He told RIA Novosti the United States, for example, understands that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is out of the question.
The Russian foreign policy adviser said Putin would speak to the media later Thursday and outline Russia’s position in more detail.
U.S. officials met earlier this week with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to present the ceasefire plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the U.S. effort, saying Wednesday that Ukraine is “ready for a ceasefire for 30 days as proposed by the American side.”
Zelenskyy said the halt in fighting could be used to create a broader peace deal for the conflict, which began with Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The talks in Moscow come as the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday its forces have retaken control of Sudzha, a major town in Russia’s western Kursk region, from Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian forces had taken the town during a surprise attack on the Kursk region bordering Ukraine in August and had been struggling to hold it ever since.
Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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