Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters, saying he is prepared to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond.
Three of the sources, familiar with discussions in Putin’s entourage, said the veteran Russian leader had expressed frustration to a small group of advisers about what he views as Western-backed attempts to stymie negotiations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decision to rule out talks.
“Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire – to freeze the war,” said another of the four, a senior Russian source who has worked with Putin and has knowledge of top level conversations in the Kremlin.
He, like the others cited in this story, spoke on condition of anonymity given the matter’s sensitivity.
If they took it, I bet there would be a ceasefire… for like 6 months or a year. Just enough time for Russia to manufacture and restock more weapons and maybe actually train their troops.
For sure, the direct tactical gains would be massive.
Also, in the EU we have elections coming up. The right wing parties and Euro sceptics are already on a plus… so giving them another talking point is potentially even more valuable… if this stifles support for Ukraine.
And trying to remove sanctions.
Fuck Putin and the Kremlin.