Exclusive: Putin’s Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal Rejected by United States, Sources Indicate

By Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya

MOSCOW/LONDON – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine to effectively pause the ongoing conflict has been declined by the United States, according to three Russian sources familiar with the discussions.

This rejection marks the beginning of the third year of the most violent conflict in Europe since World War II and highlights the significant divide between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.

A U.S. source refuted claims of any formal communication and stated that Washington would not engage in talks that did not include Ukraine in the discussions.

In 2023, Putin communicated through both public statements and private intermediaries, including some allies in the Middle East, his openness to considering a ceasefire in Ukraine. The Russian sources revealed that Putin’s proposal meant to maintain the status quo of the conflict without relinquishing any territory currently held by Russia, which some in the Kremlin viewed as a potential step towards a form of peace.

"Contacts with the Americans led nowhere," a senior Russian source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks, informed. Another Russian source indicated that the U.S. communicated via intermediaries that they would not entertain discussions about a ceasefire unless Ukraine was involved, ultimately leading to stalled negotiations.

A third source added, "Everything fell apart with the Americans," noting that they were reluctant to exert pressure on Ukraine.

The nature of these contacts and their unsuccessful outcome had not been previously disclosed.

As U.S. President Joe Biden continues to advocate for increased aid to Ukraine, he faces challenges from supporters of Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the presidential nomination.

The Kremlin, White House, U.S. State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency all opted not to comment on the situation.

LACK OF BACK CHANNELS

Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, escalating a conflict that had been ongoing for eight years involving Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists.

Ukraine asserts that it is fighting for its sovereignty, while the West characterizes Putin’s invasion as an aggressive land grab that undermines the post-Cold War international order. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has firmly stated his refusal to accept any Russian control over Ukrainian territories, effectively banning communication with Russia.

A U.S. official, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized that there have been no secret talks with Russia and reiterated that the U.S. has been transparent in not circumventing Ukraine during discussions.

While unofficial conversations may have occurred among Russian individuals outside the government framework, the U.S. was not involved, according to the official. The proposal from Putin, as publicly portrayed, was similar to past demands for Russia to retain part of Ukrainian territory, and it appeared that Moscow was frustrated with the U.S.’s consistent refusal to accept those terms.

Last week, Putin expressed his readiness for "dialogue" during an interview with a U.S. talk-show host.

ENGAGEMENTS

According to the three Russian sources, intermediaries convened in Turkey in late 2023. A fourth diplomatic source noted that unofficial contacts took place at Russia’s initiative but ultimately yielded no results.

Sources indicated that Putin’s message was conveyed to Washington, leading to discussions among senior U.S. officials, including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and CIA Director Bill Burns.

Plans were made for Sullivan to connect with Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, to outline future steps. However, in a call made in January, Sullivan informed Ushakov that while Washington was open to addressing other aspects of their relationship, discussions about a ceasefire could not happen without Ukraine’s involvement.

The U.S. official refrained from discussing specifics regarding Sullivan’s conversations or confirming any dialogue with Ushakov.

PUTIN PREPARED FOR CONTINUATION OF CONFLICT

One Russian source voiced frustration over the U.S.’s steadfast approach of not pressuring Ukraine to engage in talks, given Washington’s role in funding the war. "Putin said: ‘I knew they wouldn’t do anything’," the source remarked, adding that the U.S. effectively undermined months of efforts to establish contacts.

Another source indicated that the U.S. seemed skeptical of Putin’s sincerity regarding a ceasefire.

"The Americans didn’t believe Putin was genuine about a ceasefire – but he was and is – he is ready to discuss a ceasefire," the source explained, also noting Putin’s preparedness to continue fighting indefinitely, stating that Russia could sustain efforts for as long as necessary.

According to the Russian sources, the Kremlin sees little value in pursuing further discussions with the United States, suggesting that the conflict will persist.