A plane carrying Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has landed at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. His visit comes amid active diplomatic engagements between Ukraine, the United States, and other international partners. Just a day earlier, a Ukrainian delegation met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in Saudi Arabia, where Kyiv expressed its support for the idea of a temporary ceasefire.
Washington’s Agenda: What Is the U.S. Aiming For?
According to the White House, Witkoff’s mission is to persuade the Kremlin to sign a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. He is expected to hold a closed-door meeting with Vladimir Putin, a fact confirmed by Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov. However, despite intensified negotiations, Moscow continues to set conditions that could make a peace deal unacceptable to both Ukraine and the West.
Putin’s Stance: Ultimatums Instead of Compromise
During a joint press conference with Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is “open to ending hostilities” but only under the condition of a “long-term peace” that, according to him, must address the “root causes of the conflict.” At the same time, the Kremlin leader laid out a series of demands:
- Ukraine must not conduct troop mobilization or military preparations during the ceasefire.
- Western arms supplies to Kyiv must be halted.
- Ukrainian forces must not attempt to regain control over occupied territories, including the Kursk region.
- Moscow must have a role in monitoring compliance with the ceasefire terms.
These statements indicate that the Kremlin is seeking to use a potential ceasefire as an opportunity to regroup its forces and avoid further military defeats.
Lukashenko Sides with Moscow
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko echoed the Kremlin’s position, claiming that the U.S. is “testing the waters” and pressuring Ukraine because it failed to influence Russia. He also confirmed that Minsk continues to manufacture launch systems for Russian “Oreshnik” missiles—further proof of Belarus’s military cooperation with Moscow.
The U.S. Tightens the Pressure with Sanctions
The Trump administration is maintaining diplomatic pressure on Russia. U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that Washington is prepared to impose tough new sanctions on Russia if necessary to push the peace talks forward. Donald Trump himself has not ruled out a personal meeting with Putin, signaling Washington’s willingness to pursue diplomacy—but not at Ukraine’s expense.
Meanwhile, Kyiv has made its position clear. The head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, emphasized that Ukraine will not accept a frozen conflict and categorically rejects the idea of a “Minsk-3” agreement. He stressed that any ceasefire must include real security guarantees for Ukraine and prevent another Russian aggression.
Is Ukraine at Risk?
Russia has repeatedly used temporary ceasefires as a tactic to regroup its forces and replenish its resources. The Kremlin now claims to be willing to halt hostilities for 30 days, but at the same time, it is trying to impose restrictions on Ukraine that could weaken its defenses. In reality, this so-called truce could be just another trap, giving the aggressor time to prepare new strikes on Ukrainian cities and military positions.
What’s Next?
The situation remains tense, and a genuine compromise seems highly unlikely. Kyiv and its Western allies continue to stress that peace is only possible under the condition of Ukraine’s full territorial restoration and Russia being held accountable for its war crimes.
Previously, reports highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing advancements in its defense industry, developing high-precision weaponry that could shift the course of the war. Learn more about Ukraine’s latest military innovations in the article: “Ukrainian Forces Shoot Down Russian Guided Bomb for the First Time: A New Tactic Unveiled.“