Russia Details Demands Amid Ukraine Ceasefire Talks

Amid ongoing tensions in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is faced with the prospect of a proposed 30-day ceasefire, following a surprise agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine. This development has caught Russia off guard, as Putin seeks to balance the demands of U.S. President Donald Trump, who aims to resolve the Ukraine issue, with the expectations of Russian nationalists who support ongoing military efforts. During a recent visit to the Kursk region, Putin emphasized the need to recapture territory from Ukrainian forces, which complicates his response to the ceasefire proposal. Kremlin officials have signaled that any agreement would come with conditions favoring Russia, such as rejecting NATO membership for Ukraine and reaffirming claims over annexed territories. The U.S. has indicated readiness to support Ukraine with military supplies as negotiations progress. However, significant skepticism remains about whether a ceasefire will be accepted without substantial concessions from the West regarding Ukraine's security assurances.