Russia rejects Trump’s temporary Ukraine ceasefire offer

Asenior Kremlin official rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, as proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, saying Russia was only interested in a long-term resolution of the Ukraine conflict, Russian media reported.

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, gave an interview to the Russia-1 TV channel.

“We believe that our goal is a long-term peaceful settlement, we strive for this, a peaceful settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country, our well-known concerns,” Ushakov said, Interfax reported.

“It seems to me that no one needs any steps that imitate peaceful actions in this situation.”

The Kremlin aide said he told Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz that Russia’s position on a temporary truce is that “this is nothing more than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more.”

Ukashov said Putin may speak today on “more specific and substantive assessments” around the ceasefire proposal, Meduza reported.

At the end of the interview, Ukashov said he was giving his “personal position”.

The U.S. and Ukraine agreed on a 30-day ceasefire plan during their talks in Saudi Arabia. The Trump Administration is now taking that proposal to the Russians.

Trump wants to see a quick peace in Ukraine. He has criticized the vast destruction and loss of life, as well as the huge cost to American taxpayers of backing Ukraine’s defense.

Source: Newsweek