Vladimir Putin is preparing to refuse the offer of silence at the frontline. This statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video address on 13 March.
“Now we have all heard Putin’s very predictable, very manipulative words from Russia in response to the idea of silence at the frontline – he is actually preparing a refusal as of now. Putin, of course, is afraid to say directly to President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians. That is why they in Moscow are setting up the idea of silence with such preconditions that nothing will happen at all, or for as long as possible,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that “Putin often does this – he does not say ‘no’ directly, but he does it in such a way that everything is delayed, making normal decisions impossible.”
The President emphasised that Ukraine had accepted the US proposal for silence in the sky, at sea, and at the frontline.
“We have heard from the American side that they are ready to organise control and verification. And this can be ensured with American and European capabilities. It is possible to use this time to prepare answers to all questions about long-term security and a real, reliable peace, and to put a plan to end the war on the table. Ukraine is ready to work as quickly and constructively as possible,” Zelenskyy added.
He stressed that the Ukrainian side does not set conditions that “complicate anything.”
“Russia is doing this. As we have always said, the only one who will delay everything, the only one who will be unconstructive, is Russia. They need a war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war – day after day. Now we need to put pressure on him. We need to impose sanctions that will make a difference. We will continue working with our American and European partners, and with everyone in the world who wants peace, to force Russia to end the war,” the head of state added.
- On 11 March, it was reported that Ukraine had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US, provided that Russia also adheres to it.
- US President Trump announced that the Americans would talk to Putin “today or tomorrow”. He expressed hope that Russia would also agree to a ceasefire. Read more in LB.ua’s editorial Not to be on someone’s menu.
- Reuters sources said that Russia has already handed over a list of demands to the US to end the war against Ukraine. They noted that these demands are similar to those Russia has previously put forward to Ukraine, the US, and NATO.
- On 13 March, at a press conference with Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Putin said that Russia “supports a 30-day ceasefire in general, but there are nuances”. One of these nuances was the “situation” of the Ukrainian army in the Kursk Region, which he described as “encirclement”. At the same time, he stated that he wanted Ukraine to refrain from mobilising troops and receiving weapons from its partners during the ceasefire, claiming that this would lead to a long-term peace.
- Trump reacted to these statements by the Russian dictator: “Putin made a promising statement, but it was not complete. I would like to see a ceasefire from Russia. We hope that Russia will do the right thing.”