Reports: Putin proposes Ukraine ceasefire along front lines
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed freezing the conflict in Ukraine along the current front line in a bid for peace, the Financial Times reports, citing informed sources.
According to three sources cited by the publication, Putin indicated in a recent meeting with special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg that Moscow might renounce claims to Ukrainian-controlled parts of the four regions partially occupied by Russia, reports the BBC.
According to Financial Times sources, the U.S. subsequently proposed terms including Washington's recognition of annexed Crimea as Russian territory and acknowledgment of Russia's de facto control over the parts of the four regions it currently occupies.
This reported proposal marks the first significant signal since the war began that Moscow might be willing to retreat from its maximalist demands, the source notes. However, European officials warned that Putin might use this potential concession as a trap to persuade Donald Trump to accept other Russian demands and force them upon Ukraine.
"Kyiv is under strong pressure to concede, and Trump could claim this as a victory," stated one of the publication's sources.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking to RIA Novosti, commented on reports about the discussion between Putin and Witkoff in St. Petersburg. The Financial Times had previously reported that the Russian president proposed freezing the Ukrainian conflict along the current front line.
"Much fake news is being published now, including by reputable publications, so we must rely only on original sources," Peskov told the agency.
Putin had announced a 30-hour ceasefire on the previous Saturday, following a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. The ceasefire, intended to run from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 on April 21, was marred by mutual accusations of violations, with both sides reporting continued, though less intense, attacks.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
