Putin says Russia 'in favor' of ceasefire, but nuances exist

Russia is "in favor" of the 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, but nuances exist, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

"We agree with the proposals to stop hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be one that would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis," Putin said at a press conference with visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

He noted the difficulty of monitoring ceasefire violations along the 2,000-kilometer contact line of the conflict and raised concerns that Ukraine might use the temporary ceasefire for mobilization and weapons supplies.

Putin also pointed to the situation in Russia's Kursk region, where Russian forces have been pushing back Ukrainian troops following their surprise cross-border attack in August 2024.

"As for the situation on the ground ... it is changing rapidly," Putin said, citing Russian forces' recapture of the key town of Sudzha in Kursk on Thursday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the day that the Russian operation in Kursk had entered its final stage.

Putin added that he might call U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the issue.

Russia will negotiate the next steps to end the conflict and reach acceptable agreements based on the situation "on the ground," he said.

On Tuesday, Ukraine signaled its readiness to accept a U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following talks with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, according to their joint statement.

The statement also said the truce could be extended by mutual agreement, adding that "the United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace."

Zelenskyy: Putin preparing a refusal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday accused Putin of "actually preparing a refusal."

He condemned Putin's response as "very manipulative."

Zelenskyy also said Putin was "framing the idea of a ceasefire with such preconditions that nothing will work out at all, or for as long as possible."

Trump: Putin's comments 'promising'

When asked about Putin's remarks, Trump told reporters Thursday that the Russian president had made "a very promising statement" on a possible Ukraine ceasefire but noted that "it wasn't complete."

"I'd love to meet with him or talk to him. But we have to get it (a ceasefire deal) over with fast," he said.

Trump, whose special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday for talks on Ukraine, added that it would be "a very disappointing moment for the world" if Russia rejects the peace plan.

"A lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed. Now we're going to see if Russia is there, and if not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world," he said.

(With input from agencies)