Putin Signals Conditional Support for Ceasefire in Ukraine Amid Mounting Demands

The Russian president raises multiple preconditions for a U.S.-brokered 30-day truce, complicating hopes for immediate peace.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed conditional support for a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire but outlined several demands, including restrictions on Ukraine's mobilization and Western arms supplies during the truce.
Putin emphasized unresolved issues, such as the status of Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk region and mechanisms for monitoring ceasefire violations, as key hurdles to an agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin's stance as manipulative, accusing him of stalling to gain military and strategic advantages on the battlefield.
The U.S. has restored military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following the ceasefire proposal, while signaling potential additional sanctions on Russia if talks fail.
Analysts suggest Russia may be using delaying tactics to consolidate gains, with Putin's recent visit to Kursk in military fatigues seen as a signal of resistance to concessions.