14-2-2024 (MOSCOW) Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, aimed at halting the ongoing conflict, faced rejection from the United States following discussions between intermediaries, revealed three Russian sources familiar with the matter to Reuters.
The failure to find common ground on Putin’s ceasefire proposal marks the beginning of the third year of the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two, underscoring the significant divide between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
A US source categorically denied any official contact and reiterated Washington’s stance of refusing to engage in discussions excluding Ukraine.
In 2023, Putin communicated signals to Washington, both publicly and through intermediaries, including Moscow’s Arab partners in the Middle East, indicating his readiness to contemplate a ceasefire in Ukraine, disclosed the Russian sources.
Putin’s proposal envisaged freezing the conflict at the existing lines without relinquishing any Ukrainian territory under Russian control. However, while some in the Kremlin viewed this as a potential pathway to some form of peace, American reluctance persisted.
“The contacts with the Americans came to nothing,” divulged a senior Russian source with insight into the discussions held in late 2023 and early 2024, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Another Russian source familiar with the contacts informed Reuters that the Americans, via intermediaries, conveyed their refusal to discuss a potential ceasefire without Ukraine’s involvement, resulting in the failure of the discussions.
A third source privy to the discussions lamented, “Everything fell apart with the Americans,” emphasizing the US’s reluctance to exert pressure on Ukraine.
The extent of these discussions, coupled with their subsequent failure, had not been previously disclosed.
This development occurs against the backdrop of US President Joe Biden’s protracted efforts to secure increased aid for Ukraine, despite facing opposition from allies of Republican presidential nomination frontrunner Donald Trump.
The Kremlin, the White House, the US State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) all declined to provide comments on the matter.
US authorities maintained a firm stance, declaring no engagement in backchannel discussions with Russia and affirming a consistent policy of not bypassing Ukraine.
Intermediaries convened in Turkey in late 2023, as disclosed by three Russian sources, attempting to facilitate dialogue between the two nations. However, a fourth diplomatic source suggested that unofficial Russian-US contacts through intermediaries at Russia’s behest failed to yield any tangible results.
According to the Russian sources, Putin’s overtures were relayed to Washington, prompting high-level discussions involving top US officials including White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
However, during subsequent discussions, Washington reiterated its stance, refusing to engage in ceasefire talks without Ukraine’s participation, frustrating Moscow’s efforts for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Amidst the impasse, frustration brewed among Russian sources over the US’s reluctance to facilitate talks with Ukraine, given its role in funding the conflict.
“The Americans didn’t believe Putin was genuine about a ceasefire — but he was and is — he is ready to discuss a ceasefire. But equally Putin is also ready to fight on for as long as it takes — and Russia can fight for as long as it takes,” lamented one Russian source.
