Yuri Ushakov, adviser to President Vladimir Putin, said Russia seeks a longer-term settlement that accounts for its “interests and concerns.”
U.S. envoy arrives in Moscow
The comments came as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff landed in Moscow for talks with Putin. On Wednesday, Ushakov told U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz that the American proposal—already endorsed by Kyiv—falls short of Moscow’s requirements.
“We want real, lasting steps, not just something that resembles peace,” Ushakov said in a televised interview.
“Ball in Russia’s court”
The United States announced Tuesday that Ukraine had accepted the month-long truce plan, which Washington says it will present to Moscow “through multiple channels.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “The ball is now in Russia’s court,” expressing hope that the Kremlin would show “goodwill” by agreeing to the proposal.
President Donald Trump has publicly urged Putin to accept the ceasefire and signaled he might speak with his Russian counterpart “later this week.”
He warned that if Russia refuses, the United States will continue supplying Ukraine.
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Source: Reuters, RMF24