Putin says ‘in favour’ of US proposal for 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, seeks discussion with Donald Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that he agrees in principle with a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

However, Putin said that he had “serious questions” that he needed to discuss with the United States, possibly directly with President Donald Trump.

“So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it," Putin told a news conference in Moscow, reported AP.

Putin added that he had ‘serious questions’ about how it would work. 

"I think we need to talk to our American colleagues... Maybe have a phone call with President Trump and discuss this with him," he told reporters.

What Putin said:

— We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities. 

— But we proceed from the fact that the cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and would eliminate the original causes of this crisis.

— Then there arise questions over monitoring and verification” of any truce along an almost 2,000 kilometer-long (1,250 miles) front line.

— The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it.

— But there are issues that we need to discuss. And I think we need to talk to our American colleagues as well. 

— Maybe I should call President Trump and have a discussion with him. But we support the idea of ending this conflict by peaceful means.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made "a very promising statement" on a possible Ukraine ceasefire, but added that "it wasn't complete."

"He put out a very promising statement but it wasn't complete," Trump said.

"I'd love to meet with him or talk to him. But we have to get it (a ceasefire deal) over with fast. A lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed. Now we're going to see if Russia is there and, if not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world," Trump added.