Putin’s suggestion of Ukraine ceasefire rejected by United States, sources say

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine to halt the ongoing conflict was rebuffed by the United States after contacts between intermediaries, news agency Reuters quoted three Russian sources with knowledge of the discussions as saying.

The rejection of Putin’s suggestion marks the beginning of a third year of the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II and underscores the considerable divide between the world’s two largest nuclear powers. A source from the US denied any official contact and stated that Washington would not participate in discussions that excluded Ukraine.

Putin conveyed his willingness to contemplate a ceasefire in Ukraine to Washington in 2023, both publicly and through intermediaries, including Moscow’s Arab allies in the Middle East and other channels, Reuters reported citing the Russian sources.