TRANSCRIPT
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he agrees in principle to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire agreement with Ukraine.
"So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it. But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners. Maybe call President Trump and discuss it together. Overall, we support the idea to end the conflict by peaceful means."
One issue, he says, is whether Ukraine might use the 30-day ceasefire to rearm.
"If we halt the hostilities for 30 days, what will it mean? Will all those who are there (in the Kursk region) come out without a fight? Should we just let them out after all the crimes against civilians they committed? Or will the Ukrainian leadership order them to lay down arms and simply surrender? How will it work? It's not clear. ... Will they use 30 days to continue compulsory mobilisation, to supply weapons, to train those who were mobilised? Or will it not be done? "
Mr Putin says there's a clear need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce.
"Imagine almost 2,000 kilometres (of the frontline), who will determine who and where violated possible ceasefire along 2,000 kilometres? And who will blame who afterwards for violating the agreement? These are the issues that require thorough examination from both sides."
President Donald Trump says welcomed what he called "good signals" from Russia regarding the ceasefire proposal.
During an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Mr Trump reaffirmed his willingness to speak with Mr Putin and emphasised the need to bring the war to an end.
“We know where we are with Ukraine and we are getting good signals outside of Russia as to where we are with Russia. And hopefully they'll do the right thing. It’s really humanity, we're talking about humanity. We're not talking about the money but then you add the money to it and, you know, hundreds of billions of dollars is being spent and really wasted so unnecessarily. It should have never happened.”
The US President says he has sent special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow.
Yuri Ushakov is the Russian President's foreign affairs adviser.
"When the president gives the signal to start the talks with Witkoff, then Witkoff will be invited to the Kremlin, and he will meet with the president. ... For now, we are discussing the essence of the new strategic course between the US and Russia, but before we proceed to it, the Americans want to end the conflict in Ukraine, and they clearly express their position on this matter."
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Mr Putin is setting conditions on the deal simply to delay it, or prevent it completely.
"We have all now heard very predictable and highly manipulative words from (Russia’s President Vladimir) Putin in response to the idea of a ceasefire at the front. He is in fact preparing a rejection at present. Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians."
