Kremlin Confirms Putin’s Message to Trump on Ukraine Ceasefire, Expresses Cautious Optimism

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to US President Donald Trump regarding a proposed ceasefire in Ukraine.

The message, delivered through Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reflects ongoing discussions between Moscow and Washington about a temporary pause in hostilities.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin conveyed “signals” to Trump about Russia’s position on the ceasefire proposal. While the Russian leader expressed general support for the idea, he also raised concerns that need to be addressed before a final agreement can be reached. Peskov noted that there are “grounds for cautious optimism” but acknowledged that significant discussions remain.

The ceasefire proposal, jointly agreed upon by the US and Ukraine in recent negotiations in Saudi Arabia, calls for a 30-day halt to fighting. It focuses on humanitarian measures, including the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian civilians and children who were forcibly relocated. However, it does not explicitly address broader security guarantees for Ukraine or potential sanctions on Russia.

Putin, in his first public response to the proposal, said Moscow supports the idea “in principle” but has questions about its implementation. He specifically raised concerns about the status of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, the potential for Ukraine to use the ceasefire period to mobilize new troops, and the mechanisms for monitoring compliance. These issues, he said, require further discussions with the US before Russia commits to a truce.

While Trump welcomed Putin’s response as a “promising statement,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted with skepticism. He accused Putin of stalling and preparing to reject the deal while continuing military operations. Some analysts suggest that Russia’s approach aligns with its traditional diplomatic strategy of prolonging negotiations while advancing its strategic objectives on the ground.

The next steps remain uncertain. The US and Russia are expected to schedule a direct conversation between Trump and Putin once Witkoff briefs the US president. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its Western allies continue to push for stronger assurances regarding security and territorial integrity.

Reuters, CNN, and Al Jazeera contributed to this report.