Putin says he supports the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine in principle

Putin Aide Signals Need to "Rework" Ukraine Ceasefire Terms as Stalemate Continues

A senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that the current ceasefire framework in Ukraine requires "serious reworking," raising questions about the future of stalled peace negotiations. The comments come as both sides remain locked in a grinding conflict with no clear diplomatic breakthrough in sight.  

In a televised interview, Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy advisor, stated that existing ceasefire agreements "no longer reflect battlefield realities" and need adjustments to be viable. "The situation on the ground has evolved, and so must the terms of any potential truce," Ushakov said, without specifying what changes Moscow seeks.  

The remarks suggest Russia may be preparing to push for revised conditions in any future negotiations, though Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected concessions on sovereignty or territorial integrity. Kyiv has also insisted that any meaningful ceasefire must include a full Russian withdrawal from occupied regions—a demand Moscow has so far dismissed.  

The statement follows months of stalled talks, with fighting concentrated in eastern and southern Ukraine. Recent Ukrainian counteroffensives have made incremental gains, while Russian forces have dug into defensive lines, resulting in a protracted war of attrition.  

International mediators, including Turkey and the UN, have attempted to revive negotiations, but mutual distrust remains high. "There can be no reworking of terms that rewards aggression," said a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson in response to Ushakov’s comments.  

Analysts speculate that Russia’s latest rhetoric could signal either a tactical pivot—possibly seeking a temporary pause to regroup—or an effort to shift blame for the deadlock onto Ukraine. "Moscow may be testing the waters to see if Kyiv or its Western allies show flexibility," said political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya. "But without major compromises, a lasting deal seems distant."  

As winter approaches, concerns grow over renewed energy infrastructure attacks and civilian suffering. Meanwhile, global leaders urge both sides to return to diplomacy—though with positions still far apart, the path to peace remains uncertain.