Devendra Kumar
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin proposed a ceasefire to freeze the conflict in Ukraine at its current lines, without ceding any Ukrainian territory controlled by Russia. However, the United States rejected this offer, citing the need for Ukraine’s participation in any talks. According to Russian sources, Putin had been sending signals to Washington throughout 2023, including through intermediaries in the Middle East and other channels, indicating a willingness to consider a ceasefire. These overtures came to nothing, as US officials informed Moscow that any discussions would need to involve Ukraine.
Russian sources claimed that US officials told Moscow that talks would require Ukraine’s participation, and that there had been no back-channel discussions or unofficial “Track II” conversations between Russians not in government. A US official stated that Washington has been consistent in refusing to engage in talks behind Ukraine’s back. Top US officials, including White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, met to discuss Putin’s proposal, but ultimately informed Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, that Washington was unwilling to discuss a ceasefire without Ukraine’s participation.
The failure to reach a ceasefire agreement has led the Kremlin to see little point in further contacts with the United States on the issue, and the war in Ukraine is likely to continue. Russian sources expressed frustration with the US, with one individual stating that Putin had warned that the US would not take any action, and another claiming that the US did not appear to believe Putin was sincere about a ceasefire.
It is worth noting that the US has not engaged in any official talks with Russia on the issue, and has remained committed to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The rejection of Putin’s proposal has deepened the division between the two nations, with little hope of a peaceful resolution in sight.