US dismisses Putin's proposal for Ukraine conflict 'freeze', sources reveal
10:22 AM EST, February 14, 2024
As per the information shared by the Reuters agency, Putin's suggestion to suspend warfare in Ukraine and thereby "freeze" the conflict has not received a positive response from the US. However, an American Reuters source denied any official contacts taking place. The agency opines that Washington does not plan to engage in talks with Russia without Ukraine's participation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed a "freeze" of the conflict along the current front lines, though he expressed no interest in relinquishing the Ukrainian territories presently under Russian control.
A Russian informer, privy to the talks at the turn of 2023 and 2024, conveyed to the Reuters Agency that discussions with the Americans yielded no results. According to another Russian source, the interactions with the Americans "disintegrated", as they purportedly showed no inclination to exert pressure on Ukraine.
"Americans terminated contacts that took two months to establish"
Three Russian sources reported to the agency that intermediaries in U.S.-Russian talks convened in Turkey at the end of 2023. Putin's proposal for a ceasefire was sent to Washington, where it was deliberated by top-ranking U.S. officials, including White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, CIA Director Bill Burns, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
One of the Russian sources quoted by the agency shared the following from Putin: "I knew they wouldn't do anything". According to this source, the Americans terminated contacts that took two months to establish. Another Russian source asserted that "The Americans did not believe that Putin was sincere about a ceasefire - but he was and remains open to discussion. However, Putin is equally prepared to continue fighting if necessary."
Reuters, quoting sources from Russia, reports that the Kremlin sees no point in further contacts with the United States on the ceasefire in Ukraine.
