Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed gratitude to global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, for their efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, while cautiously endorsing a ceasefire with strict conditions. Speaking at a Kremlin news conference after meeting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin said, “I would like to thank the president of United States for paying so much attention to regulating the conflict in Ukraine… The president of China, and prime minister of India and heads of states of Brazil and South Africa, they are dealing with this issue and we are grateful for it.”

Putin acknowledged the 30-day ceasefire proposal pushed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Moscow following Ukraine’s acceptance of the plan in Saudi Arabia on March 11. “The second thing is we agree with the proposals for the ceasefire,” he stated. “But our position is based on the assumption that the ceasefire would lead to a long-term peace. Something that would remove the initial reasons for the crisis.” He implied Russia’s demands—Ukraine’s neutrality and territorial concessions—must be met, consistent with his January 2025 stance.

Casting doubt on Ukraine’s motives, Putin added, “As for the readiness of Ukraine to ceasefire, there was a meeting between Americans and Ukrainians in Saudi Arabia and it looks like a decision taken by Ukrainian side under American pressure. In reality, I am completely convinced that Ukraine had to ask Americans, insist on it, based on the situation on the ground.” With Russia reclaiming Kursk territory, he suggested Kyiv’s battlefield losses drove the talks.