Vladimir Putin ready to 'freeze' war in Ukraine with ceasefire

[Kokavkrystallos]

Vladimir Putin ready to 'freeze' war in Ukraine with ceasefire recognising recent Russian gains, sources say​

Vladimir Putin reportedly views recent gains in the war as enough to sell a victory to the Russian people, saving him from making unpopular decisions like spending more money and mobilising more people.

Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources have told the Reuters news agency.

Three of the sources claimed that the Russian leader had expressed frustration about what he views as Western-backed attempts to hinder ceasefire negotiations.

"Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire - to freeze the war," a senior Russian source who has reportedly worked with Mr Putin and has knowledge of top-level conversations in the Kremlin, told Reuters.

The Russian president later told a press conference on Friday that peace talks with Ukraine need to be renewed, but they "must reflect realities on the ground".

Sources said freezing the conflict along current lines is a non-negotiable, as it would leave Russia in possession of substantial chunks of four Ukrainian regions, but without full control of any.


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire, going so far as to sign a decree in 2022 that formally declared any talks with Mr Putin "impossible".

He reiterated this view at the beginning of the year, saying any pause in fighting would "play into [Russia's] hands" and "might crush us afterwards".

Both Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy also rejected a proposal put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month, for a temporary ceasefire to be held during the Olympic Games, between 26 July-11 August.

But according to two of the sources who spoke to Reuters, Mr Putin thinks recent gains in the war are enough to sell a victory to the Russian people.


This month, Russian forces have intensified the bombardment of the southern region of Kharkiv.

The Kremlin has claimed its troops have taken control of numerous villages and cities in the area, while Ukrainian officials said troops were still in control of the majority of the territory and house-to-house fighting had been taking place.

Vladimir Putin ready to 'freeze' war in Ukraine with ceasefire recognising recent Russian gains, sources say

Vladimir Putin reportedly views recent gains in the war as enough to sell a victory to the Russian people, saving him from making unpopular decisions like spending more money and mobilising more people.

news.sky.com

 

[Hans Blaster]

Seems like Vlad has figured out things aren't going to get better for him in the next year.

 

[SimplyMe]

Seems like Vlad has figured out things aren't going to get better for him in the next year.

Yes, it does seem like Putin has realized he's gotten all the gains he is going to get this year, with that last offensive before Ukraine gets the weapons from the US and Europe. So, now he wants a cease fire using the current lines before Ukraine can take any of it back.

 

[Kokavkrystallos]

Yes, it does seem like Putin has realized he's gotten all the gains he is going to get this year, with that last offensive before Ukraine gets the weapons from the US and Europe. So, now he wants a cease fire using the current lines before Ukraine can take any of it back.

This well may be the plot.

 

[Whyayeman]

"Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire - to freeze the war," a senior Russian source who has reportedly worked with Mr Putin and has knowledge of top-level conversations in the Kremlin, told Reuters. From the article on Sky News

This story appears to have some credibility and is sharply at odds with Putin's triumphalism.

It will be an encouragement to Ukraine (and the West). One obvious take on the report is that a rift has developed in the Kremlin over the war. The effect is to signal that Russia is looking for a way out. And there may be one that does not cede any Ukrainian sovereign territory, involving the opportunity for free votes in occupied Ukrainian territory to establish their wishes. Perhaps the pro-Russian parts of that population could be accommodated on the Russian side of the international border (the pre-war border).

Such a settlement would spell the end of Putin's effective power with the possibility of less hysterically nationalist voices being heard inside Russian corridors of power.

 

[Whyayeman]

But according to two of the sources who spoke to Reuters, Mr Putin thinks recent gains in the war are enough to sell a victory to the Russian people.

It would be a difficult trick to pull off. According to Putin the purpose of the 'special operation' is to rid Ukraine of its 'fascist government'. If he comes to any sort of arrangement with Ukraine he has demonstrably failed to do that.

 

[The Barbarian]

Vladimir Putin reportedly views recent gains in the war as enough to sell a victory to the Russian people, saving him from making unpopular decisions like spending more money and mobilising more people.

Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources have told the Reuters news agency.

Leaving the Ukrainians holding Russian Territory in Kursk? You really think so? That would be perpetuating a humiliating defeat for Putin. No, I don't think that's going to go.

 

[The Barbarian]

This story appears to have some credibility and is sharply at odds with Putin's triumphalism.

It will be an encouragement to Ukraine (and the West). One obvious take on the report is that a rift has developed in the Kremlin over the war. The effect is to signal that Russia is looking for a way out.

Putin is acutely aware that his personal survival depends on selling the war as a Russian victory to the Russian people. And they seem to be getting impatient. Who knows what's hiding among the group of yes-men he's kept around him on short leash?

 

[Whyayeman]

Putin is acutely aware that his personal survival depends on selling the war as a Russian victory to the Russian people. And they seem to be getting impatient. Who knows what's hiding among the group of yes-men he's kept around him on short leash?

Things have moved on since I said all that.

The Ukraine surprise attack has certainly changed the dynamic. I can't see Putin wanting to negotiate as it now stands.