Expectation of Extension for Ukraine Ceasefire from Putin - Bloomberg

According to a statement to Bloomberg from close sources, it is expected that Russian President Vladimir Putin will extend the negotiation process for a ceasefire with Ukraine to secure the most favorable conditions for Moscow. While Putin is anticipated to eventually approve a ceasefire with Ukraine, he aims to incorporate his own conditions prior to any agreement.

Russian officials did not discuss the specific agreement accepted by the Ukrainian delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with their U.S. counterparts. According to a source familiar with the Kremlin's stance, the Kremlin finds this framework unacceptable. This agreement poses a challenge for Putin, who is avoiding a vigorous campaign against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by the White House. However, the outlined terms do not meet the conditions previously stated by Russia for ending the conflict, which include demands for Ukraine to become a neutral country and significantly reduce its armed forces.