Russia Rejects U.S. Cease-Fire Proposal in Its Current Form, Signaling Potential Stalemate in Ukraine Peace Talks

Moscow, April 1, 2025 – In a development that could cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to broker peace in the war-torn region of Ukraine, Russia has declared that it cannot accept the United States’ latest cease-fire proposal "in its current form." The statement, delivered by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Tuesday, underscores growing tensions in diplomatic negotiations and hints at a possible stall in the peace process, which has been a focal point of international attention as the conflict enters its fourth year.

The U.S. proposal, unveiled following high-stakes talks between American and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, outlined a 30-day interim cease-fire intended to halt hostilities across the entire front line. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly endorsed the plan, framing it as a critical step toward de-escalation and a broader peace agreement. The proposal gained further momentum when the U.S. announced it would immediately resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, reversing a temporary suspension imposed after a contentious White House meeting between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump in late February.

However, Russia’s response has injected uncertainty into what many had hoped would be a turning point in the conflict. Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Ryabkov acknowledged that the Kremlin is taking the American initiative "very seriously" but emphasized that the proposal, as it stands, fails to address Russia’s core concerns. "We cannot accept it all in its current form," he said, signaling that Moscow intends to push for significant revisions before committing to any truce. While Ryabkov did not specify the exact sticking points, analysts suggest that Russia’s demands likely include guarantees regarding Ukraine’s military posture, territorial concessions, and the lifting of Western sanctions.

The announcement comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at ending a war that has claimed countless lives, displaced millions, and destabilized global security. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, multiple rounds of peace talks have faltered, with both sides entrenched in their positions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently demanded that Ukraine recognize Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and four southeastern regions, withdraw troops from contested areas, and renounce ambitions to join NATO—conditions Kyiv has rejected as tantamount to capitulation. Ukraine, in turn, insists on the complete withdrawal of Russian forces, the return of abducted citizens, and robust security guarantees from the West.

The U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal was seen as a pragmatic compromise, offering a temporary pause in fighting to create space for negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the Jeddah talks, described it as a framework that could "restore durable peace" if Russia reciprocated. Following Ukraine’s acceptance, Rubio declared that "the ball is now in Russia’s court," a sentiment echoed by Trump, who has made ending the war a cornerstone of his foreign policy agenda. Yet Russia’s lukewarm response suggests that the path to peace remains fraught with obstacles.

Observers point to recent battlefield dynamics as a potential factor in Moscow’s reluctance. Russian forces have made significant gains in Ukraine’s east and have largely expelled Ukrainian troops from Russia’s Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise incursion last August. This military momentum may embolden Putin to hold out for a deal that locks in Russia’s territorial advances rather than agreeing to a freeze that preserves the current lines of control. "Putin has a strong position because Russia is advancing," a senior Russian source told Newsweek, hinting that the Kremlin sees little incentive to concede ground at this juncture.

The rejection of the proposal "in its current form" also aligns with Russia’s historical negotiating strategy. Keir Giles, a senior fellow at Chatham House, noted that Moscow has "every incentive" to press for additional demands, such as sanctions relief or restrictions on Ukraine’s future security arrangements. Since 2022, the U.S. and its allies have imposed over 21,000 sanctions targeting Russia’s economy, a burden the Kremlin is eager to alleviate. "It would be strange and out of character if Russia were to agree without presenting additional demands," Giles told Al Jazeera, predicting that Putin will leverage his military leverage to extract concessions.

For the United States, Russia’s stance poses a diplomatic challenge. Trump, who has touted his relationship with Putin as a potential asset in negotiations, has hinted at wielding economic pressure—such as tariffs or tightened sanctions—to compel Moscow’s cooperation. "In a financial sense, we could do things very bad for Russia," he warned last week, though he has also expressed a desire to avoid escalation in favor of a swift resolution. The White House has dispatched special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to brief Kremlin officials on the proposal, with talks reportedly ongoing as of April 1.

Meanwhile, Ukraine remains cautiously optimistic but wary of Russia’s intentions. In his nightly address on Monday, Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv’s commitment to peace but warned that Putin’s preconditions could derail progress. "He does not say ‘no’ directly, but does so in a way that delays everything," Zelenskyy said, accusing Moscow of manipulating the process to buy time. Ukrainian officials have stressed that any cease-fire must include humanitarian measures, such as prisoner exchanges and the return of forcibly displaced children—elements absent from Russia’s public commentary.

European leaders, who have watched the U.S.-led initiative with a mix of hope and apprehension, are also recalibrating their approach. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have endorsed the cease-fire framework but insist that Ukraine’s long-term security must be guaranteed, potentially through NATO or bilateral agreements—a prospect Moscow has fiercely opposed. "We will refuse any form of demilitarization of Ukraine," French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu declared, reflecting Europe’s determination to bolster Kyiv regardless of the talks’ outcome.

As the diplomatic chess game unfolds, the international community braces for what could be a prolonged impasse. Russia’s refusal to fully embrace the U.S. proposal underscores the deep mistrust between the warring parties and their backers, raising doubts about whether a cease-fire can hold without addressing the conflict’s root causes. For now, the world watches as the Kremlin weighs its next move, with the prospect of peace hanging in the balance.

17GEN4.com