- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance on the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire between the two countries, labeling it as "manipulative." Zelenskyy also called for increased sanctions against Moscow, asserting that Putin intends to reject the truce but is hesitant to communicate this directly to US President Donald Trump.
"He is, in fact, preparing a rejection at present because Putin is, of course, scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," Zelenskyy stated in an address.
According to a report from the news agency Reuters, Zelenskyy accused Putin of setting preconditions for the ceasefire to delay the process or render it ineffective. He argued that a ceasefire would allow time to develop solutions for "long-term security and a real, reliable peace, and put on the table a plan to end the war."
On Thursday, Putin expressed conditional support for the U.S. proposal, stating that Russia agreed with the idea in principle but required clarifications and specific conditions. He emphasised that certain details needed resolution before reaching a consensus and stressed that the deal should address the root causes of the conflict.
"We agree with the proposal to cease hostilities [in Ukraine] but proceed from the assumption that this cessation must be of the kind that should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis," Ptin said following his talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
ALSO READ: UP: Kajjakpura Overbridge Project in Final Stages, Pending NOC Stalls Construction
Putin also expressed gratitude to President Trump and leaders from China, India, Brazil, and South Africa for their attention to the conflict, acknowledging their efforts toward brokering a ceasefire.
"First of all, I would like to start with words of gratitude to the president of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. All of us have lots on our plates, but many state leaders, the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, president of Brazil and South African Republic," Putin said.
"They devote a lot of time to this issue, and we are thankful to them because it’s all for the noble cause of stopping hostilities and preventing human casualties," the Russian President added. The ongoing war, which began in February 2022, has resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions. Despite international efforts, an immediate end to hostilities remains uncertain.