In the Kremlin, there were hints that Russia is not prepared to agree to a long-term ceasefire, including the 30-day ceasefire previously proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
This statement was made on the eve of expected negotiations and raises new concerns about the possibility of achieving long-term peace in the conflict. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS that he could not hide the fact that in the Kremlin there remains more than just dislike or skepticism about the idea of a prolonged ceasefire without a clear understanding of its terms. When asked whether the Kremlin is aware of Ukraine’s proposal for an immediate and long-term (30 days) ceasefire, Peskov responded cautiously: "Yes, we saw that statement. But when it comes to such a long-term ceasefire, of course, the same nuances are important as those President Vladimir Putin previously mentioned in the Kremlin. These are crucial details, and without taking them into account, it's difficult to talk about the possibility of a long-term ceasefire." He did not specify which nuances he was referring to, only emphasizing that these issues remain open. At the same time, Peskov recalled another example of the Kremlin’s goodwill gesture — the three-day ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin on the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, which was a gesture of good will. According to the spokesman, Putin took a step forward and declared a temporary cessation of hostilities to mark an important historical date. However, he noted, the reaction of Ukrainian authorities to this step was unpredictable: "We did not hear an official response from the Kyiv regime. It is now difficult to say whether the Ukrainian regime intends to join this gesture or not." It is worth noting that Russia’s initiative for a three-day ceasefire was announced back on April 28, when Kremlin officials stated that Putin had made a unilateral decision to declare a pause in hostilities on the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War. Russian authorities claimed that this decision was an act of humanitarianism and respect for those who died, and called on Ukraine to take a similar step. At the same time, Moscow expressed hope that Ukrainian authorities would support it and consider the symbolic significance of that date. Analysts and foreign policy experts already note that this move by the Kremlin was essentially another attempt to demonstrate “goodwill” and to give the impression that Russia is willing to make concessions. However, questions remain about the genuine readiness of the Russian leadership for a long-term ceasefire, unconditional guarantees, and clear conditions that could prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side, which earlier proposed exploring a tripartite negotiation format and the idea of a 30-day ceasefire to create a motivated truce, has so far remained silent in response to this initiative. Kyiv representatives emphasize that any cessation of hostilities must be honest, lasting, and include security guarantees and the return of occupied territories. They note that without concrete agreements and guarantees, any “gestures of goodwill” from Russia appear more as a political formality than real steps toward peace. Thus, the series of statements and actions by the Kremlin demonstrates that Moscow is in no rush to reach detailed agreements on a long-term ceasefire; many nuances and conditions remain unaddressed, which will ultimately determine the future course of negotiations. At the same time, Ukrainian officials remain cautious and emphasize that any efforts to end the war require long-term and systematic solutions. It is clear that the coming weeks will reveal how genuine the intentions of both sides are and whether the negotiation process can draw closer to any concrete results, or if we will again face attempts by the West and Ukraine to change the situation through force or diplomacy. All interested observers and conflict participants can expect further news and likely new attempts to find mutual understanding — in the most complex chapter of modern Ukraine-Russia relations.