A Kremlin diplomatic adviser criticized on Thursday the United States’ proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“It is nothing more than a temporary respite for Ukrainian troops,” said adviser Yuri Ushakov in an interview with Russian television. He added that President Vladimir Putin would likely make a “clearer and more substantial” statement on Washington’s proposal later in the day.
Ushakov also noted that he had conveyed Russia’s position during a phone conversation with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on Wednesday. He emphasized that any resolution must “take into account” Moscow’s “interests and concerns” and that Russia seeks a “long-term peaceful solution.”
“In the current situation, no one needs measures that merely imitate a peaceful action,” he added.
Meanwhile, U.S. negotiators traveled to Russia on Thursday to present their ceasefire plan as Washington pressures Moscow to accept an “unconditional” pause in the three-year-long conflict.
At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its forces had regained control of Sudzha, the largest city in the border region of Kursk, expelling the Ukrainian army, which had partially occupied the area since August 2024. This offensive comes at a critical moment following the ceasefire proposal pushed by the United States, which Ukraine has already accepted.
According to a ministry statement, units of the Sever (North) military group recaptured Sudzha along with the towns of Melovói and Podol, and operations continue in the Kursk region to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian forces. The report also stated that Russian troops inflicted 340 casualties on Kyiv’s forces in the past 24 hours.
Moscow released footage of Sudzha showing Russian soldiers raising the national flag in the city center after eliminating the last pockets of Ukrainian resistance. The Defense Ministry assured that its offensive would continue to consolidate control over the region.
