U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Russia is expected to present a ceasefire proposal within days, which will reveal whether it is serious about ending the war in Ukraine. The announcement follows recent calls by President Donald Trump to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the first direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in three years, held last Friday in Istanbul.
While Putin has rejected prior 30-day ceasefire proposals backed by Kyiv and Western allies, Rubio said that Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated they would soon offer broad terms for a potential ceasefire that could lead to deeper negotiations. However, he emphasized that the realism of Russia’s proposal will reveal its true intentions.
Zelensky, meanwhile, expressed skepticism, accusing Moscow of trying to “buy time” to continue its war and occupation. European leaders echoed these concerns, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen noting that Putin’s refusal to attend the Istanbul meeting suggests he sees benefit in prolonging the conflict.
The European Union adopted its 17th round of sanctions against Moscow on Tuesday, targeting 200 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow maritime fleet. In response, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, accused Western media and politicians of deliberately undermining U.S.-Russia dialogue.
Rubio acknowledged that Trump currently opposes new sanctions, fearing they might derail the fragile diplomatic engagement. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to make battlefield gains, and analysts suggest that Putin’s proposed “memorandum” could serve to delay peace while allowing Moscow to continue its offensive.
Public reaction remains divided. In Kyiv, citizens voiced distrust toward Trump and doubt about peace prospects, while in Moscow, many expressed confidence in a Russian victory and dismissed the need for negotiations.
Since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has destroyed large parts of eastern Ukraine, killed tens of thousands, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. Despite renewed diplomatic moves, analysts warn that Putin is using talks as a smokescreen to further his military goals, while Trump’s involvement has added confusion rather than clarity to the path toward peace.
