Russia says it's waiting to hear from US on Ukraine 30-day ceasefire plan
USA Today16 hours ago
Kremlin Spokesperson: Too Early to Comment on Cease-fire Proposal
Above: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pictured in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 19, 2024 Image copyright: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that it was still too soon to comment on a 30-day cease-fire proposal agreed upon by US and Ukrainian officials a day earlier in Saudi Arabia, stating that Russia first needed to be briefed by US officials.
"Yesterday, both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz mentioned that they would provide us with detailed information about the essence of the conversation that took place in Jeddah through various channels," Peskov said. "We need to receive this information first."
According to multiple reports, Steve Witkoff, the White House Middle East Envoy, is set to travel to Moscow on Thursday for meetings with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin. However, a source with knowledge of the plans said arrangements could yet change amid ongoing negotiations with Qatar over Gaza, as well as due to possible clashes with Putin's schedule.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US has agreed on what a temporary cease-fire will look like with Ukraine. Now it is hoped that Russia will come back with a positive response so that full negotiations can begin. If they say no, it will tell America and the world what their true intentions are for this conflict.
Pro-Russia narrative
While Russia is carefully examining the public statements on the cease-fire, Moscow needs to be fully briefed on it by its American counterparts before any substantive comment can be given. Doing so before this process has taken place would be premature and imprudent.