What did Putin say?

http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76450

This is the complete 7 minute segment during his press conference with President Lukashenko, where he started with other BRICS countries and their peace initiatives. (The formal translation is not excellent but is good enough for understanding).

Vladimir Putin: As for Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, I will also say, of course, as I appreciate it.

But first of all, I would like to start with words of gratitude to the President Mr. Trump’s United States for giving so much to Ukraine Lots of attention. We all have our own current affairs. Many leaders States: and the President of the People’s of China Republic, Prime Minister of India, Presidents Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are engaged in this issue, they devote a lot of time. We are all thankful for them, because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission – Missions for the cessation of hostilities and loss of life. The first one.

(Note: Mr Putin is reminding the US that they are not the only kids on the block).

Second. We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities, but we believe that this termination should be one that would lead to long-term peace and would eliminate The initial causes of this crisis.

(Note: Mr Putin is saying that the Russian requirements will be adhered to).

Now about the readiness of Ukraine to cease hostilities. You know, U.S.-Ukrainian meeting in Saudi Arabia outwardly, maybe it looks like a decision of the Ukrainian side under American pressure. In fact, convinced Absolutely in the fact that the Ukrainian the party would have to ask the Americans in the most urgent way, based on the the situation that is developing, as it has just been said here, on the ground.

(Note: The Ukraine was pressurized, therefore they are still not reliable for a peace negotiation).

How does it turn out? Surely many noticed, saw that yesterday I was in the Kursk region and listened to the reports of the Chief of the General Staff, the commander of the group “North” and his Deputy about the situation in the border, primarily in the Kursk region, or rather, in the wedge zone in the Kursk region.

What’s going on there? There, the situation is completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation. This is complete isolation and full fire control. Management of Ukrainian troops There is no loss inside this intrusion zone. And if the first stages, just a week or two ago, Ukrainian servicemen tried to get out of there small In groups, now it’s impossible. They are trying to get out of there in very small groups – two or three people, because everything is under our full fire control.

(Mr Putin is reminding the US that Russia is winning and why should they rush into a peace agreement if they are winning?).

The technique is thrown completely, display it impossible, it will remain there, it is already guaranteed. And if in the next few days there is a physical Blocking, then no one can get out at all. There will be only two ways – to surrender or die. And in these circumstances, it seems to me, for It would be very good for the Ukrainian side to achieve a truce for at least 30 days. And we’re for it, but there’s nuances. What they are Concluded?

The first one. What will we do with this section of wedging in the Kursk region? If we stop fighting for 30 days, what does it mean? That everyone who is there will be Out Without a Fight? We should let them out after How They Made a Mass Crimes against civilians? Or the Ukrainian leadership will give them a command to lay down their arms, just surrender? How will it be? It’s not clear.

How other issues will be resolved on the whole line of contact? And this is almost two thousand kilometers. And there, as you know, the Russian troops are advancing almost all areas of contact. And there are also created conditions for us to take into the blocking of entire large units.

These 30 days will be How to use? In order to continue the forced Mobilization? To get a gun in there? In order to mobilize Have the units been trained again? Or willn’t it be done?

Then the question arises: how will the issues of control and verification be solved? How we can and how will we be It is guaranteed that nothing like this will happen? Control as it will be organized? I hope that at the level of a healthy The meaning of it is clear to everyone. These are all serious questions.

Who will give Orders for the cessation of hostilities? What is the price of these orders? You represent – almost Two thousand kilometers! Who will determine where and whoever violated the possible An agreement on a ceasefire for two thousand kilometers? And then who will blame the violation on whom This arrangement? This all questions that require their painstaking research on both sides.

(Russia has been through this a number of times. Do your homework US!)

Therefore, the idea itself is the right oneself, and we certainly support it, but there are issues that we need to discuss. I think that we also need with our American colleagues, partners on this matter To talk, perhaps, with President Trump to call and discuss with him. But in itself the idea of ending this conflict by peaceful means by us supported.

Subtitled Video:

⚡️🇷🇺Putin’s full response to the 30-day truce proposal. pic.twitter.com/Nushu442i9

— SIMPLICIUS Ѱ (@simpatico771) March 13, 2025

Today Trump claimed that he has “leverage” on Putin, but he does not want to talk about leverage now’. He says Putin’s statements today ‘pretty positive’, and also thinks ceasefire deal would lead to LASTING peace.

And here comes the ‘leverage’: The US has nothing but threats, an exceedingly ugly people.

Trump RAMPS UP sanctions on Russia’s oil, gas, & banking sectors by cutting off US payment system access – reports

US President Donald Trump allowed the waiver on Russian oil sales to expire this week, as he aims to leverage Russia into accepting the ceasefire proposal, Fox News reported, citing a source in the administration.

💬 “That means European Countries and our allies can NO LONGER buy oil from Russia without sanctions from US being imposed,” Fox News reporter Edward Lawrence tweeted.

The move ended a 60-day exemption that the Biden administration had granted, allowing certain Russian banks to conduct energy transactions. The sanctions will make it harder for countries to purchase Russian oil, potentially increasing prices by up to $5 per barrel, CBS News reported.

💬 The Trump administration “remains focused on ending the fighting and fostering negotiations to end the war,” the Treasury spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. “We continue to implement our sanctions, which remain one of the levers to facilitate these goals.”