Kremlin aide says proposed truce would just give a breather to Ukraine

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Thursday that a proposed ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia would only give a breathing space for Ukrainian forces.

Ushakov said in a TV interview that he had spoken to U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on Wednesday and set out Russia’s view on the ceasefire proposal discussed this week between Ukraine and the U.S.

“I have stated our position that this is nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more,” Ushakov said, adding that Russia was seeking a long-term settlement that took its interests and concerns into account.

“It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation,” he said.

Ushakov’s comments appeared to indicate that the proposed 30-day ceasefire, proposed by the United States and accepted in principle by Ukraine, is unacceptable to Moscow in its current form.