Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to end the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire, provided that Moscow gets to keep territories it has annexed from Kyiv.
Four Russian sources disclosed this development to Reuters, with three of them familiar with discussions within Putin's inner circle. According to them, the Russian leader reportedly expressed frustration with what he perceives as Western attempts to obstruct negotiations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's refusal to engage in talks. The sources indicate the Putin is ready to continue fighting if Kyiv and the West do not respond positively.
"Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but he is also ready for a ceasefire – to freeze the war," said one senior Russian source with knowledge of high-level Kremlin conversations. (Related: Putin 'tried everything possible' to make peace – Ukrainian diplomat.)
Reuters interviewed five individuals with senior-level ties to Putin in the political and business realms. While the fifth source did not comment on freezing the war at the current frontlines, the others spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.
During a news conference in Belarus, when asked about the Reuters report, Putin stated that peace talks should resume, emphasizing that negotiations should be based on "the realities on the ground" and prior agreements, not merely one side's demands.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded on X, accusing Putin of using his entourage to send "phony signals" about a supposed willingness to halt the war to disrupt a Ukrainian-initiated peace summit in Switzerland.
Kuleba asserted that only a united global front could compel Putin to choose peace. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak claimed Putin wanted Western democracies to accept defeat.
Peskov: Russia doesn't want "eternal war"
Despite the appointment of economist Andrei Belousov as Russia's new defense minister, which some analysts saw as preparation for a prolonged conflict, sources suggest Putin would prefer to leverage the current momentum to end the war. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia does not want "eternal war."
According to two sources, Putin believes the gains so far could be presented as a victory to the Russian public. However, further significant advances would require another nationwide mobilization, which he seeks to avoid due to its unpopularity.
The possibility of a ceasefire seems distant as Zelensky has ruled out peace on Putin's terms and has vowed to reclaim lost territories. One source predicted no agreement would be reached while Zelensky remains in power unless a deal is struck directly with Washington, though U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed doubts about Putin's interest in serious negotiations.
The upcoming Swiss peace summit, initiated by Zelensky, aims to unify international opinion on ending the war. However, Russia's exclusion has led Moscow to dismiss the talks' credibility.
The U.S. State Department emphasized that any peace initiative must respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, and described Russia as the primary obstacle to peace, highlighting that Moscow has shown no meaningful interest in ending its aggression.
Both Russia and Ukraine fear that the other side would use any ceasefire to re-arm. Ukraine and its Western allies rely on substantial U.S. and European military aid to counter current challenges, including ammunition shortages and recruitment struggles.
Putin's insistence on solidifying battlefield gains in any deal is non-negotiable, with four sources indicating he would accept freezing the conflict along current lines, leaving Russia in control of parts of four Ukrainian regions, albeit not fully.
Peskov reaffirmed that there could be no discussion of returning these regions, which Russia now considers permanently part of its territory. The ongoing conflict risks creating social tensions within Russia as battle-hardened veterans return dissatisfied with post-war prospects.
Without a ceasefire, Putin aims to capture as much territory as possible, leveraging Russia's larger population and substantial financial incentives for recruits. He believes this strategy will pressure Ukraine to negotiate, counting on the West's insufficient support to eventually demoralize Kyiv.
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Watch Russian President Vladimir Putin saying Russia is ready to end the Ukraine war if Moscow can keep the land it now controls.
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