US negotiators arrived in Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russia on a temporary ceasefire deal. The White House-brokered agreement, which would last 30 days and could be extended by mutual agreement, is being closely watched to gauge Russia’s seriousness about ending the war against Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on the deal, but his recent visit to the occupied region of Kursk suggests he is seeking to maintain momentum in the conflict. The Kremlin has signaled several red lines for any future peace deal, including no foreign troops or military bases in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials came up with the ceasefire deal earlier in the week, leaving Russia’s input out of the process. US President Donald Trump warned that a failure to agree would be “financially devastating” for Russia, hinting at potential sanctions.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said a truce would only give Ukraine a temporary reprieve and expressed concerns about the legitimacy of Ukrainian interests. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov tempered expectations, saying there had already been contacts with US negotiators.
Analysts are skeptical that Moscow will agree to or abide by the ceasefire deal. Some experts believe Putin may be playing a waiting game, pretending to want peace while seeking concessions from Ukraine and the West.
As tensions remain high, Europe must navigate its role in reducing Ukraine’s dependence on Washington and providing support without creating complacency in the complex US-Russia dynamic.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/13/moscow-plays-hard-ball-over-a-ceasefire-deal-as-us-officials-in-russia.html