Moscow is interested in a “long-term” resolution to the war in Ukraine rather than a temporary ceasefire, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said in a March 13 interview on the state-run television channel Russia-1, according to Interfax.
“Our goal is a long-term peaceful settlement, and that is what we are working toward — a resolution that accounts for our country’s legitimate interests and known concerns. Any steps that merely imitate peace efforts, I believe, are of no use to anyone in this situation,” Ushakov said.
He dismissed the proposal for a temporary ceasefire as nothing more than a pause for Ukrainian forces to regroup, RBC reported.
Ushakov said he outlined Russia’s stance in a conversation with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, making clear that Moscow views a ceasefire as simply a short-term reprieve for Ukraine’s military.
Ushakov added that President Vladimir Putin may offer a more detailed response to the ceasefire proposal later in the day.
The remarks come after the United States proposed a 30-day ceasefire along the entire front line during negotiations with Ukraine on March 11, a plan that Kyiv supported.
