Putin Aide Rejects Temporary Ceasefire Amid Ongoing US Talks

In the wake of Ukraine's acceptance of a U.S. proposal for a temporary 30-day ceasefire, Russian officials, including presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, emphasized the importance of a long-term settlement rather than a short-term truce. Experts warn that Vladimir Putin may leverage the ceasefire to extract concessions from Ukraine, potentially demanding a halt to military supplies as a condition. While the U.S. aims to restore military support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, concerns persist over Kyiv's willingness to make territorial concessions, which President Zelensky firmly opposes. The upcoming talks in Moscow, led by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, will be critical in determining Russia's stance on the ceasefire proposal. President Trump noted that the responsibility now lies with Russia to agree to the ceasefire terms, emphasizing that negotiations require cooperation from both sides. Despite the potential for a ceasefire, significant questions remain about the future security of Ukraine and the broader European region.