Top Putin aide opposes temporary ceasefire, calls it 'respite' for Ukraine

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

The Kremlin is prioritizing a long-term settlement over a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on March 13, calling the U.S. truce proposal a “respite for the Ukrainian military."

“We believe that our goal is a long-term peaceful settlement, and we are striving for that, a peaceful settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country and our known concerns,” Ushakov said on state television.

His remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, reportedly arrived in Moscow for talks on a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

Kyiv agreed to the U.S. proposal during negotiations in Jeddah on March 11, after which Washington resumed military and intelligence support for Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that U.S. officials are in Moscow but did not disclose Russia’s position on the ceasefire proposal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to provide further comment on March 13.

Russia presents US with demands for possible Ukraine peace deal, Reuters reports

According to the sources, Russian and U.S. officials discussed these demands during face-to-face and virtual conversations over the past three weeks.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy