Trump Envoy Pushes for 30-Day Ceasefire Amid Russian Skepticism

Trump Envoy Pushes for 30-Day Ceasefire Amid Russian Skepticism

In a bold move to halt the ongoing conflict, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, landed in Moscow on Thursday. His mission: to negotiate a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine has already agreed to this proposal, according to AP, but Russia remains wary, fearing it might benefit Kyiv’s fatigued military.

Coinciding with these talks, Russia announced that its forces had reclaimed the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. This area has been a battleground for seven months, with Moscow striving to oust Ukrainian troops. President Vladimir Putin even visited his commanders there, donning military attire to boost morale.

The U.S. administration is exerting pressure on Russia to embrace the ceasefire. President Trump warned of severe economic repercussions if Moscow refuses to engage in peace efforts. He stated, “It’s up to Russia now,” hinting at potential new sanctions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remained tight-lipped about Russia’s stance on the ceasefire proposal. He emphasized that discussions hadn’t started yet, making public comments premature.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, voiced concerns that a ceasefire might merely offer Ukraine’s military a chance to regroup. He remarked that such a truce would “only give the Ukrainians a chance to consolidate their forces and keep doing the same in the future.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration over Russia’s sluggish response to the ceasefire offer. He accused Moscow of stalling and reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to swiftly achieving peace.

The U.S. has approximately $3.85 billion in authorized military aid for Ukraine. However, the Trump administration is hesitant to deploy additional weapons, awaiting the outcome of these peace negotiations.

Russia’s recent military actions, coupled with Putin’s high-profile visit to the front lines, suggest a reluctance to pause hostilities. The Kremlin seeks a comprehensive peace agreement that addresses its strategic interests and security concerns.

The international community watches closely as these diplomatic efforts unfold. The hope is for a resolution that brings lasting peace to a region long marred by conflict.

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