(Dan Tri) - Russian President Vladimir Putin "passed the ball" back to the US court when he responded to the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting in 2018 (Photo: AFP).
"President Putin was initially put in an awkward position by the ceasefire proposal between the US and Ukraine as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's joke that the ball was in Russia's court," Michael Desch - Professor of International Relations at the University of Notre Dame - told TASS news agency (Russia) on March 14.
"Putin's response is to accept the ceasefire in principle, but demand that it create the conditions for lasting peace so that the ball is back in the West's court," the American political scientist argued.
"I expect diplomatic moves to continue before the game ends," added expert Desch.
Earlier, at a press conference after talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on March 13, President Putin stated that Russia supports proposals to end the fighting in Ukraine, but that such proposals must lead to lasting peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis.
The talks between the US and Ukraine took place in Saudi Arabia on March 11. Afterwards, the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a joint statement saying that Kiev supported Washington's idea of a 30-day ceasefire. The US promised to lift the suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine and resume military aid to Kiev.
Russia has been under pressure to sign the White House-brokered deal after the US proposed a ceasefire. Washington said Russia's response to the proposal would show whether the Kremlin was serious about ending the conflict with Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the ball was in Russia's court after the ceasefire was agreed earlier this week. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned of financial "disaster" for Russia if it did not agree to a ceasefire, hinting that further sanctions could be imposed on Moscow if it did not.
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, immediately hit back, asserting that the ceasefire would give Ukraine the opportunity to reinforce its forces. Mr. Ushakov said he had discussed this position with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
"This is nothing more than a temporary halt to the Ukrainian army. We believe that our goal remains a lasting peaceful solution, we are striving for this. A peaceful solution that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country - our concerns," Ushakov said.
President Putin said Russia agreed in principle to a ceasefire plan proposed by the US and supported by Ukraine, but he would not sign any agreement, saying further negotiations were needed and must lead to "lasting peace".
Mr Putin warned of the potential vulnerabilities and strategic disadvantages Russia could face if it accepted the ceasefire.
The Russian president also outlined the guarantees Moscow would need from Kiev if the two sides agreed to a 30-day ceasefire.
"We also want guarantees that during the 30-day ceasefire, Ukraine will not mobilize additional forces, will not train soldiers and will not receive additional weapons," Putin said at a press conference with his Belarusian counterpart in Moscow.
The Russian president stressed that the Russian army was gaining momentum across the front and that a pause in fighting could disrupt military operations. He warned that Ukrainian forces could use the ceasefire to reorganize, receive more weapons and train new recruits.
He also noted that enforcing a ceasefire across such a vast frontline would be difficult, and violations could easily be disputed, leading to both sides blaming each other.
Analysts also predicted Russia's reaction to the ceasefire proposal.
"Russia's immediate acceptance of a ceasefire is unlikely, and the White House's frustration could lead to new demands for Ukrainian concessions. Europe must then act quickly to help reduce Kiev's dependence on Washington, with a particular focus on intelligence and air defense, protecting Ukraine from both Russian attacks and US inconsistencies," said Sam Greene, a Russia expert.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/dap-tra-lenh-ngung-ban-o-ukraine-ong-putin-chuyen-bong-tro-lai-san-my-20250314115550257.htm
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