Janice R. Andrews
Russia and the United States have held discussions on the “next steps” to end the war in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. The talks come amid growing international pressure after Kyiv’s European allies urged Moscow to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
US Proposes Ceasefire, Russia Hesitates
Following negotiations in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, the United States proposed a temporary ceasefire, which Ukraine accepted. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not given a clear response. Instead, he has outlined multiple conditions and raised “serious concerns” about the proposal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of delaying the ceasefire agreement, claiming that Russia aims to strengthen its position on the battlefield before committing to peace talks.
US-Russia Diplomacy Continues
On Sunday, Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Their conversation reportedly focused on “concrete aspects” of agreements made during a US-Russia summit in Riyadh last month.
The February meeting marked the highest-level discussions between the US and Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, no mention was made of the US-backed ceasefire proposal.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that both diplomats agreed to continue efforts to restore diplomatic communication between Washington and Moscow.
Western Leaders Condemn Russia’s Delay
The renewed diplomatic push follows a virtual summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who criticized Putin for “dragging his feet” on the ceasefire.
“The ‘yes, but’ from Russia is not good enough,” Starmer stated. “We need an immediate end to these brutal attacks on Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a fresh wave of Russian strikes. On Sunday, Moscow launched 90 Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting nine Ukrainian regions. A Russian drone attack on the city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region killed one person.
Zelensky: Putin Avoiding Ceasefire Deal
Zelensky accused Putin of deliberately stalling the ceasefire, stating that the Kremlin is actively seeking ways to prolong the war.
“Putin is lying about how a ceasefire is supposedly too complicated,” Zelensky said. He also suggested that by refusing to accept the proposal, Putin is contradicting former US President Donald Trump, who has previously expressed interest in negotiating with Russia.
Ongoing Conflict Amid Uncertain Diplomacy
Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continues on the ground. Russia, which controls significant portions of southern and eastern Ukraine, has made advances in certain frontline areas.
Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold key positions, including parts of the Kursk region, which Kyiv had hoped to use as leverage in future negotiations.
As both sides navigate their next moves, the future of Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal remains unclear. The outcome of US-Russia diplomacy could significantly influence the course of the war in the coming weeks.
