Putin supports ceasefire while questioning issues concerning Kursk region

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, on the 13th (local time), expressed that he "principally supports" the '30-day ceasefire' plan agreed upon by the United States and Ukraine, while mentioning the Ukrainian forces occupying the Kursk region, and noted, "There are issues that need further discussion with the United States," showing a reserved stance.

According to CNN and others, Putin, during a joint press conference after a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, at the Kremlin, expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his interest in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating, "I absolutely support the ceasefire idea itself." However, Putin added, "There are serious questions that need to be discussed further, and I think we need to talk about this with our partners in the United States," indicating that he might need to directly communicate with President Trump by phone.

Putin raised questions related to the ceasefire. Among these were how the ceasefire would be verified, who would issue orders to halt hostilities, and what would happen in the Kursk region, where Ukraine occupies some territory. Putin particularly questioned, regarding the Kursk region, "What will we do about the Kursk region? If military actions are halted for 30 days, will everyone there leave without fighting? Should we release those (Ukrainian forces) who have committed many crimes against civilians?"

On the 13th, the Russian military announced that it had recaptured Sudzha, the largest city that Ukraine once occupied in the Kursk region. The Russian military's statement comes as Ukraine is likely trying to use the occupied area in Kursk as a bargaining chip in negotiations post-ceasefire, which could pose a threat to Ukraine. Sudzha was just a small town with about 5,000 residents before the invasion by Ukraine, but its recapture could yield a symbolic victory for Russia.

Earlier, Russia has expressed that the ceasefire period is merely an opportunity for the Ukrainian forces to reinforce their troops and weapons. Yuri Ushakov, an advisor at the Kremlin, stated on the 13th, "Russia does not want a temporary ceasefire," and mentioned that he explained Russia's position to U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz on the 12th. In an interview with Russian state media on the 13th, Ushakov stated, "I explained our position that this (the 30-day ceasefire proposal) is just a temporary respite for the Ukrainian forces, and nothing more or less than that," adding, "We believe our goal is a long-term harmonious agreement, and that is precisely what we are working towards."

However, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, clarified that Ushakov's comments should not be interpreted as Russia rejecting the U.S. proposal. Peskov told CNN that "Russia is waiting for additional and direct information regarding the (30-day ceasefire) proposal before making a decision."

Meanwhile, Putin met privately with Steve Wietkoff, the U.S. White House special envoy for the Middle East, immediately after the press conference.