Putin Agrees in Principle to U.S. 30-Day Ceasefire Proposal in Ukraine Amid Talks with Envoy Steve Witkoff

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed agreement in principle with a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. This statement was made during a news conference in Moscow, where Putin indicated that while the concept is supported, the specifics of the ceasefire need further discussion with American counterparts. Putin emphasized that any ceasefire should lead to a lasting peace and address the root causes of the conflict. He raised concerns about the potential for Ukraine to use the ceasefire period for rearmament and mobilization, and stressed the need for a mechanism to monitor compliance with the truce. He also noted that Ukrainian troops are encircled in their last foothold in Russia's Kursk region, and it's necessary to determine before a ceasefire whether they will lay down weapons and surrender. The announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow for talks on the ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine has already accepted. The diplomatic efforts are unfolding amidst ongoing military actions, with Russian forces claiming to have recaptured the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region from Ukrainian troops, who have been under intense pressure from Russian forces backed by North Korean troops. Putin also mentioned the possibility of creating a security zone alongside the state border, which could involve capturing parts of Ukraine's neighboring Sumy region.