Exclusive: Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines ( www.reuters.com )

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters, saying he is prepared to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond.

Three of the sources, familiar with discussions in Putin's entourage, said the veteran Russian leader had expressed frustration to a small group of advisers about what he views as Western-backed attempts to stymie negotiations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's decision to rule out talks.

"Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire – to freeze the war," said another of the four, a senior Russian source who has worked with Putin and has knowledge of top level conversations in the Kremlin.

He, like the others cited in this story, spoke on condition of anonymity given the matter's sensitivity.

zephyreks ,

Putin's been saying this for forever... Basically ever since the doomed peace negotiations in 2022.

Zelensky won't accept a peace without retaking Crimea and Putin won't accept a peace that relinquishes current territorial gains.

We're at an impasse until someone cracks. If Zaluzhny hadn't been exiled to Britain, maybe things would be different.

ReallyActuallyFrankenstein ,

Even the premise of a ceasefire is so insulting. It would be agreeing that the invasion-pushed borders are valid enough to accept for a day, and by that, Ukraine would take the first step to agreeing they could accept them for a hundred days, a thousand... Every additional day strengthening the appearance of legitimacy. Russia needs to be broken to understand, there's no negotiation that would work.

Like all of Putin's games, if you agree to play, you've already lost.

ghostdoggtv ,

Unfortunately for Russians, Ukraine is no longer interested in a ceasefire. Western munitions are about to drop, it's gonna be a rainy summer

kent_eh ,

Ukraine has no interest in a ceasefire that causes them to lose territory to the Russian invaders.

And rightfully so.

gregorum ,
@gregorum@lemm.ee avatar

Ok. Leave.

Whirling_Ashandarei ,

Appeasement never works with dictators.

Nougat ,

Putin is welcome to cease firing any time he likes.

kent_eh ,

Putin is welcome to cease firing and get his army back on the other side of the fucking border any time he likes.

Leate_Wonceslace ,
@Leate_Wonceslace@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Here's a way that Russia can liberate Ukraine 100% foolproof.

Badeendje ,
@Badeendje@lemmy.world avatar

Just an ugly ploy to allow his cronies in the EU to be able to say that Russia offered a ceasefire.

Noone is falling for this.

empireOfLove2 ,
@empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

this may be a signal that Russia is reaching the limit of its ability to sustain the war and he's trying to grab a hold of what little land he tenuously holds right now. Putin wants to wrap it up before they start to lose ground again.

bamboo ,

I wouldn’t be so sure. It’s likely that Russia sees a temporary ceasefire as a way to more efficiently regroup its army and continue the invasion. It would also give Ukraine a little bit of time to do the same, but given the political red tape in the west, it’s unlikely they would be able to be as efficient or effective

psmgx ,

Agreed, time is on the Russian side. A ceasefire, esp until Trump gets reelected, or doesn't, and causes a civil war, gives him space to regroup and rearm with Indian and Chinese gear.

Either way the US will be chaotic after the election and funding a foreign war may not be a thing, esp. if there is a domestic insurgency. And Europe still doesn't have what it takes, and probably won't, to meet any needs.

DMBFFF ,
@DMBFFF@lemmy.world avatar

Yeah, but the thing is, Ukraine isn't ready to negotiate, and Biden will be President for at least another 7 months.

Until then perhaps over 100 000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers will die, thanks to Putin.

This war isn't helping the demographics of either country.

mctoasterson ,

This history of Russia shows a willingness to throw bodies into the meatgrinder to achieve military objectives. While there are trained and professional forces fighting on the Russian side of this conflict, the lines have also been populated with conscripts, political dissidents, ethnic minorities, prisoners, and any other "human resources" that Putin doesn't mind sacrificing. I doubt he is worried about troop strength.

letsgo2themall ,

"stop fighting so we can kill you quicker" basically.

Badeendje ,
@Badeendje@lemmy.world avatar

To let us reconstitute our army groups and restock supplies. In order to show our good faith we will withdraw troops from the northern costly tactical mistake.

andrewta ,

Better idea. Take his troops back to Russia.

best idea: take his troops back to Russia and then take his butt to a tall bridge and jump.

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