INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia is prepared to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but just if it leads to long-lasting peace and addresses the source of
the dispute, President Vladimir Putin stated Thursday throughout a joint press conference with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.We
concur with the proposal to stop hostilities
But we believe this cessation must result in long-lasting peace and eliminate the origin of the dispute, Putin told reporters.The Kremlin
has actually argued that its full-blown intrusion wasnecessary to protect Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and to rid the country of
neo-Nazi elements supposedly present in the federal government and military
It has also implicated NATO of attempting to get a foothold in Ukraine and bring its troops better toRussias western border.On Thursday,
Putin raised concerns about Ukrainian soldiers who are still believed to inhabit parts of the southwestern Kursk area, and he questioned how
they would be handled under a ceasefire agreement.Are we supposed to let them pursue they devoted mass criminal activities versus civilians?
Or will the Ukrainian leadership order them to lay down arms and give up? he asked.Earlier on Thursday, Russias Defense
Ministryannouncedthat its troops regained control over the town of Sudzha in the Kursk border area after 7 months under Ukrainian
control.Ukraine at first took 1,376 square kilometers (531 square miles) of land in the Kursk area after launching a surprise ground
offensive in August.However, over the previous week, Russian troops have performed a quick counteroffensive and appear near to entirely
pressing Ukrainian displace of the region.At the Russian-Belarusian press conference, Putin also questioned whether Ukraine would be enabled
to rearm throughout the 30-day ceasefire, warning that Russias benefit on the battlefield was increasing.How will these 30 days be utilized?
To continue forced mobilization in Ukraine? To send more weapons there? How will concerns of control and verification be managed how can we
be guaranteed that none of this will take place? he continued.Putins remarks came days after Ukraine consented to a U.S.-brokered 30-day
ceasefire during negotiations in Saudi Arabia
The Kremlin said it would await more details from White House authorities before indicating whether it will accept the proposal.The idea
itself is proper, and we undoubtedly support it, but there are problems we require to talk about including with our American partners
Perhaps I will discuss it with President Trump in a phone call, he said.Putin isexpectedto meet U.S
President Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, later Thursday
Witkoff took a trip to Moscow to formally present Washingtons ceasefire proposal.On Wednesday, Trumpsaidhe hoped the Russian president would
agree to the truce or face extremely bad, devastating financial sanctions.But I do not want to do that due to the fact that I wish to see
And were getting close to getting something done, Trumptoldreporters.Russia, grappling with financial strain, has actually pushed for
sanctions relief as part of any deal
The Kremlin restated on Thursday Moscows stance that the sanctions are unlawful but decreased to comment even more ahead of negotiations.U.S
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American negotiating team in talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, said Washington desires Moscow
to agree to the ceasefire with no preconditions.
