ceasefire

According to a joint statement released after several hours of talks, the two countries agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in the Russia–Ukraine war, hopefully to be extended for a longer span, segueing into negotiations toward a permanent peace.

The ceasefire deal—which also contains details about a long-term settlement that have not been publicly disclosed—will soon be presented to the Russian government for its acceptance or rejection.

He has opposed a ceasefire unless it is preceded by a settlement of the war’s “root causes.”

If Putin rejects the ceasefire offer, he added, “then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace.”

Of course, Putin could accept the ceasefire, then refuse to abide by it.