Putin Claims Ukraine Seeks Truce to Rearm for Terrorism as Ceasefire Talks Stalemate

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to dismiss the possibility of a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine, asserting that Kyiv would likely utilize any halt in hostilities to bolster its military capabilities.

Ukraine has been advocating for an unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire, presenting its latest proposal to Moscow during peace negotiations in Istanbul on Monday.

“Why should we grant them a reprieve in the fighting, which they will use to fortify their regime with Western weaponry, continue forced conscription, and prepare for various acts of terrorism?” Putin remarked during a government meeting broadcast on television.

During the discussions on Monday, Russia laid out extensive demands for a ceasefire, which included the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions in the east and south, areas that Moscow claims to have annexed but does not fully control.

Putin also accused Ukraine of orchestrating “terrorist attacks” on bridges in its border areas over the weekend, one of which resulted in a train derailing, leading to the deaths of seven individuals and injuring 115 others.

He characterized this incident, which Ukraine has not taken responsibility for, as an attempt to disrupt the negotiation process, stating that it served as evidence that the Ukrainian government is “turning into a terrorist organization.”

Rather than a 30-day truce, Russia proposed a brief ceasefire lasting two to three days on Monday, aimed at allowing both sides to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers from the battlefield.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov informed Putin that Kyiv had rejected this proposal.

Putin stated that the Kyiv regime “has no interest in peace at all,” as it would entail a loss of their authority.

Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, confirmed that Moscow was prepared to proceed with a large-scale prisoner exchange agreed upon in Istanbul on June 7-9, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s announcement that the first phase would occur this weekend.