Putin: “We are ready to end the combat operations”

Russia is ready to stop military actions in Ukraine, but this must lead to a long-term stable peace. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on March 13.

We agree to proposals to cease military actions, but this cessation must lead to long-term peace and address the root causes of this crisis, Putin said.

Commenting on Ukraine's readiness to stop military actions, Putin said: “You know, the meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia may outwardly seem like the Ukrainian side made a decision under American pressure. In fact, I am confident that the Ukrainian side should have firmly asked the Americans for this based on the situation on the ground, as mentioned earlier.”

“The idea itself (about reconciliation) is correct. And we certainly support it, but there are issues we need to discuss,” Putin said.

He also raised a number of specific questions, particularly about what to do with the undefeated units of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region:

“Should we expel the armed forces from the Kursk region after so many crimes against the peaceful population? There are two options for the UAF in the Kursk region: surrender or perish.”

According to Putin, Russia must receive guarantees that “Ukraine will not conduct mobilization, prepare soldiers, or acquire weapons” during a 30-day ceasefire period.

“I think we need to talk about this with our American colleagues and partners, perhaps call President Trump and discuss it with him together. However, we support the idea of ending this conflict peacefully,” he emphasized.

The Russian leader described the efforts of world leaders to help stop military actions in Ukraine as a noble task.

At the end of his speech, the president emphasized that the idea of peacefully ending the conflict is correct, but there are many issues he needs to discuss with President Trump.

“How will issues of control and verification be resolved? Who will determine who violated what from 2,000 kilometers away? Who gives the order to cease fire? From a common-sense perspective, this is understandable to everyone; these are serious issues. All of these are matters that require careful examination from both sides.”