US Negotiation Team Arrives in Moscow, Russia Rejects '30-Day Ceasefire Proposal'

"It's just giving Ukraine time to catch its breath"

Putin visits the front line in military uniform

Russia has rejected the '30-day ceasefire proposal' suggested by Ukraine and the United States. Russia stated that it cannot accept a temporary ceasefire that is not a final peace agreement. This increases the likelihood that the US and Ukraine's peace initiative will fall apart.

Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's foreign policy advisor, said in a state TV address on the 13th, "The 30-day ceasefire proposed after negotiations between the US and Ukraine is merely intended to give Ukrainian forces time to catch their breath," adding that "Russia wants a long-term, peaceful solution that reflects Russia's interests and concerns." He further stated, "We expect the US to consider Russia's position in future cooperation processes." Russia's stance came as Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy for the Middle East, arrived in Moscow for ceasefire negotiations. The US had agreed with Ukraine on a 30-day ceasefire and was pressuring Russia to join.

Russian forces are intensifying their offensive against Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that day that they had recaptured Sudzha, the largest city in the Kursk border region. Sudzha had been under Ukrainian control for the past six months.

After last month's summit between the US and Ukraine ended in disarray, and the US suspended weapons and intelligence support to Ukraine, Russia seized the opportunity to advance rapidly from the southwestern border of Kursk province. On the 12th, Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) visited Kursk. This move came less than a day after Ukraine accepted the US '30-day ceasefire proposal.' President Putin, dressed in military uniform, attended a meeting at a military command post in the Kursk region and instructed, "Consider options to drive out Ukrainian forces in the shortest possible time and establish a buffer zone along the border."

Analysts suggest that President Putin's visit to Kursk was intended to emphasize that Russian forces have the upper hand on the front lines and to send a message that Russia would not easily accept the ceasefire proposal. If Russia recaptures Kursk, it could gain an advantageous position in ceasefire negotiations. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, reported that "86% of the (Kursk) territory occupied by Ukraine in a surprise attack has been recaptured."

Kim In-yeop reporter inside@hankyung.com