Putin: Russia agrees to ceasefire in Ukraine, but there are nuances. Lukashenko official visit

🇷🇺🇧🇾#Russia #Россия #Путин #Putin #Кремле #Kremlin #Lukashenko #Лукашенко #Belarus #Беларусь #Kursk #Курской: (ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Moscow on an official visit. The topics of the meeting included relations between the two countries, the development of the Union State, and more.

Yes. But...
Vladimir Putin: Russia is for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, but there are nuances

Russia supports the idea of ​​a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, but there are issues that require painstaking research from both sides: they concern Russia's advantage in all areas of combat contact, as well as the situation in the Kursk region, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces group has found itself in complete isolation. Guarantees are also needed that Kyiv will not use this time to obtain weapons or mobilize. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this at a joint press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following talks in the Kremlin. He again emphasized that Russia will negotiate a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine based on the realities "on the ground."

"We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis," the Russian president said. He noted that Ukraine's readiness to cease hostilities, which was announced following the US-Ukrainian meeting, looks like a decision made under pressure from the US, but it was Kyiv itself that should have asked Washington about this based on the realities on the ground.

Thus, Putin recalled that on Wednesday he was in the Kursk region, where he heard reports on the situation in the border area. He emphasized that Russia is now in full control of the situation in the Kursk region. "The group that invaded our territory is isolated. This is complete isolation and complete fire control," he said.

Thus, the exit of the Ukrainian military from the encirclement near Kursk becomes impossible. "If a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to get out at all. There will be only two ways: to surrender or die," Putin said. Therefore, according to him, it is advantageous for Ukraine to achieve a 30-day ceasefire. But what should Russia do with this section of the wedged-in area? "If we stop military actions for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone who is there will leave without a fight? Should we let them out of there after they have committed a lot of crimes against civilians? Or will the Ukrainian leadership give the order to lay down their arms? Just surrender. How will that happen? It is unclear," the president outlined the questions that have not yet been answered.

Putin added that the situation on the contact line between the Russian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian armed forces is rapidly changing in Russia's favor. "Yesterday, during the report, the commander of the North group and his deputy told me: "Tomorrow Sudzha will be in our hands." That is exactly what happened," the president said, separately thanking the Russian fighters for the liberation of Sudzha.

We agree with the proposal to stop military actions, but we proceed from the fact that this should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis
The same questions arise with the contact line, where Russian troops are advancing in almost all areas, and this is almost 2 thousand kilometers. Now, according to Putin, conditions are being created there for the Russian army to blockade entire large units. "How will these 30 days be used? To continue forced mobilization in Ukraine? To supply weapons there? To train newly mobilized units? Or will none of this happen?" Putin outlined a new set of questions.

Another question is how control will be organized. "Who will determine where and who violated the possible agreement on a ceasefire over a distance of 2 thousand kilometers? And then who will blame the violation of this agreement on whom? These are all questions that require painstaking research on both sides," the Russian president emphasized.

Thus, according to Putin, the idea of ​​​​declaring a ceasefire with Ukraine is correct, but in this regard, a number of issues need to be discussed, including with the American side and US President Donald Trump.

"I think that we need to talk to our American colleagues and partners about this, maybe call President Trump and discuss it together. But we support the idea of ​​ending this conflict by peaceful means," he said. Putin stressed that Russia will negotiate the next steps to end the conflict in Ukraine based on the situation on the ground and reaching agreements acceptable to everyone.

Vladimir Putin separately thanked Donald Trump for paying much attention to resolving the situation in Ukraine. "We all have our own current affairs, but many leaders of states - the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa - are working on this issue and devoting a lot of time to it. We are grateful to all of them for this, because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission - the mission of ending hostilities and human losses," he said.
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In turn, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Minsk and Moscow have a common position on the Ukrainian settlement. "We have strictly followed all agreements, including those concerning the conflict in Ukraine, with our ally and our friends, and we will continue to adhere to this position now," the Belarusian leader said. According to him, neither Russia nor Belarus were the cause of what is happening in Ukraine, and today "we need to come to an agreement." In connection with the prospect of starting the negotiation process, a question was also raised about the possible lifting of Western sanctions. Putin said that the Russian authorities had begun closed-door talks on the possible return of individual Western companies to the domestic market on their initiative. "Everything is calm, dignified, with respect for each other and with the observance of mutual interests," he said. Putin recalled that he had previously instructed the government to work out the provision of preferences to domestic companies when foreign investors return to the Russian market. "Our so-called partners have given us a good vaccination - a vaccination of independence, sovereignty. And therefore, we will certainly continue all our programs related to strengthening our technological sovereignty," Putin said.

"We did not close ourselves off from anyone and did not expel anyone," the Russian leader reminded. "We say 'welcome, welcome at any moment' to those who want to return. But naturally, we will proceed from the situation that has developed to date: if the niches are occupied, then, accordingly - and they are occupied - we will not create any preferences for anyone to return to our market.

How will these 30 days be used? To continue forced mobilization in Ukraine? To supply weapons there?
Alexander Lukashenko noted in this regard that Western companies that left the market after the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, if they want to return, will be forced to do so taking into account the situation that has changed over the years of their absence. "A lot of time has passed, and the conditions have changed, and the situation on the ground has changed. You are welcome, come, but, as Vladimir Vladimirovich said, we have learned a lot during this time, we will draw the appropriate conclusions from this. And I believe that we will then see: do you want this? Okay, come, we need you here. If not, then no," he said.

The President of Belarus also expressed the opinion at the press conference that Europe will be in for a "pipe" if Russia reaches an agreement with the United States. Putin responded and played up his answer, meaning the gas pipeline. "If the United States and Russia reach an agreement on cooperation in the energy sector, then a gas pipeline for Europe can be provided. And this will benefit Europe, because it will receive cheap Russian gas," Putin noted.

It should be noted that the Russian side had contacts with US representatives planned in Moscow on the same day, the press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov reported. Moreover, the Russian head of state's aide Yuri Ushakov said that US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Moscow, would be invited to the Kremlin for a meeting with Vladimir Putin when the Russian leader gives the appropriate signal. As the Kremlin representative noted, Russia and the US are discussing not only Ukraine, but also the future of Russian-American relations, "the general content of a possible new strategic course between the US and Russia." "But before moving on to this, the Americans want to end the war in Ukraine. And they are clearly expressing their position on this matter," he said.

Recall that the negotiations between the Ukrainian and American sides took place on March 11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The issue of a 30-day ceasefire in the special operation zone was raised at the meeting.