Russia rejects 30-day ceasefire: diplomat explains why

Diplomat Volodymyr Puzyrko expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

“Why does Russia not agree to a 30-day truce? First, it wants the war to continue. Donald Trump’s conditions and his relationship with Putin, although strange, have still brought some results. In particular, the talks in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia became partially possible thanks to Trump’s intervention.

Second, the looming economic crisis in Russia, falling oil prices, and the number of Russian military casualties force the Russian leadership to consider the possibility of negotiations,” Puzyrko noted.

According to the diplomat, it is obvious that for the Russian leadership, especially for the president himself, stopping the war is disadvantageous.

“This would raise many questions within Russian society: why did the war start, what was its purpose, and what was ultimately achieved? Putin is effectively cornered: he can neither advance nor retreat. I think the refusal of the truce is linked to the fact that questions may arise from the Russian elite towards the president,” Puzyrko emphasized.

• On Monday, June 2, the second round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul, Turkey.