Russia Rejects Ceasefire Proposal as Fighting Intensifies in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin outlines conditions for a truce while Russian forces press key advances in Koursk, complicating international peace efforts.

Russian forces have made significant advances in the Koursk region, using unconventional tactics such as infiltrating Ukrainian positions through a gas pipeline.
Ukraine denies Russian claims of encirclement in Koursk and reports stabilizing the situation in other regions, including near Pokrovsk.
Vladimir Putin has expressed conditional support for a ceasefire but insists on addressing what he calls the 'root causes' of the conflict, including Ukraine's NATO ambitions.
The United States has pressured Ukraine into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia has yet to commit, citing concerns that it would allow Ukraine to regroup militarily.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with international leaders discussing security guarantees and potential European military deployments to enforce a future peace agreement.