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Investing.com -- A news conference Thursday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded with Putin expressing conditional support for a 30-day cease-fire proposal put forward by the United States and Ukraine. Putin stated that Russia "definitely support[s]" the concept of a cease-fire but emphasized that there are several "questions" that need to be addressed.
During the conference, Putin indicated a willingness to agree to a truce, but only if Ukraine would accept numerous conditions. This stance marks a shift from his previous, more demanding position outlined in June, where he required Ukraine to withdraw troops from four regions claimed by Moscow. However, Putin did not reiterate these stringent requirements at the conference.
Putin also repeated his stance that any agreement to end the conflict must address the "original causes" of the war. He implied that Russia would continue to seek significant concessions from the West, including a reduction of NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe, as part of any peace negotiations.
In response, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin’s reaction to the cease-fire proposal as "very predictable, very manipulative." Zelensky accused Putin of being unwilling to directly tell President Trump that he wishes to continue the war and to kill Ukrainians. He criticized the Russian leader for setting so many preconditions that it seemed unlikely anything would come of the proposal or that it would be significantly delayed.
In the Oval Office, President Trump discussed the ongoing efforts to secure a cease-fire with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump referred to the discussions with Putin as "very serious" and expressed a desire to see a cease-fire from Russia. When asked about a potential meeting with Putin, Trump stated he would "love to meet" and have a conversation with him. Putin had earlier mentioned the possibility of soon speaking with Trump.
The meeting between Putin and President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to occur later today, which may further address the cease-fire discussions.