Vitaly Shevchenko

Now, that's extremely difficult because of the war. Ships are being attacked. And that's a problem for Ukraine, for the customers of its grain, and also for Russia that also used the Black Sea to export its goods. Now, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, within the past few minutes has confirmed that Black Sea shipping has been discussed, but we don't know the details yet.

The Kremlin says that these were technical negotiations and details are not going to be revealed. And, of course, the bigger issue that's on everyone's minds is a more comprehensive ceasefire that involves fighting on the ground and in the air. Russia has refused to accept it unconditionally.

The Kremlin says that these were technical negotiations and details are not going to be revealed. And, of course, the bigger issue that's on everyone's minds is a more comprehensive ceasefire that involves fighting on the ground and in the air. Russia has refused to accept it unconditionally.

Vladimir Putin said that before that happens, Ukraine should stop receiving new weapons from the West and should stop recruiting new fighters into its army. So that looks like a no. Does Gajda say yes? Because he said he likes the idea. But I'll say it again. The fighting continues. This morning, Ukrainian forces claim to have targeted Russian military infrastructure in Kursk.

Vladimir Putin said that before that happens, Ukraine should stop receiving new weapons from the West and should stop recruiting new fighters into its army. So that looks like a no. Does Gajda say yes? Because he said he likes the idea. But I'll say it again. The fighting continues. This morning, Ukrainian forces claim to have targeted Russian military infrastructure in Kursk.

I think it's a no disguised as a yes. The conditions that he put forward would be absolutely devastating for Ukraine to accept. No more weapon supplies, no more mobilisation of new fighters for the Ukrainian army. Surrender rather than withdrawal of whatever Ukrainian forces are still in Russia's Kursk region. And also, I think most importantly, what he said about the root causes of this crisis.

I think it's a no disguised as a yes. The conditions that he put forward would be absolutely devastating for Ukraine to accept. No more weapon supplies, no more mobilisation of new fighters for the Ukrainian army. Surrender rather than withdrawal of whatever Ukrainian forces are still in Russia's Kursk region. And also, I think most importantly, what he said about the root causes of this crisis.

If recent history is anything to go by for Vladimir Putin, the root cause of what he calls this crisis is the very existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state, which is free to pursue its own policy at home and abroad. What I think we saw Vladimir Putin do today is, push out this ball that America and Ukraine said was in Russia's court. I think he's pushed it out back into their court.

If recent history is anything to go by for Vladimir Putin, the root cause of what he calls this crisis is the very existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state, which is free to pursue its own policy at home and abroad. What I think we saw Vladimir Putin do today is, push out this ball that America and Ukraine said was in Russia's court. I think he's pushed it out back into their court.

Well, we have to remember that Vladimir Putin can be really inflexible in negotiations. He's made Steve Witkoff wait the whole day for a meeting with Vladimir Putin. That, I think, is a way of putting extra pressure.

Well, we have to remember that Vladimir Putin can be really inflexible in negotiations. He's made Steve Witkoff wait the whole day for a meeting with Vladimir Putin. That, I think, is a way of putting extra pressure.

I think it's fair to say that Russia is playing for time and its rhetoric and its actions, they do suggest that Russia's appetites are absolutely undiminished when it comes to Ukraine and And when Vladimir Putin says he likes the idea of a ceasefire, but it's the but that is the stumbling block.

I think it's fair to say that Russia is playing for time and its rhetoric and its actions, they do suggest that Russia's appetites are absolutely undiminished when it comes to Ukraine and And when Vladimir Putin says he likes the idea of a ceasefire, but it's the but that is the stumbling block.

There's that. And also, I think he will be thinking that Donald Trump is more of an ally rather than an adversary. And Donald Trump's rhetoric, really critical of Ukraine recently. That suggests that he might be inclined to blame Zelensky should he reject the offer of a ceasefire. We'll just have to wait and see.

There's that. And also, I think he will be thinking that Donald Trump is more of an ally rather than an adversary. And Donald Trump's rhetoric, really critical of Ukraine recently. That suggests that he might be inclined to blame Zelensky should he reject the offer of a ceasefire. We'll just have to wait and see.

But so far, I've seen no suggestion or sign from Russia that it realistically is preparing to seize hostilities in Ukraine for any period of time.

But so far, I've seen no suggestion or sign from Russia that it realistically is preparing to seize hostilities in Ukraine for any period of time.

Russia seems to be moving closer and closer to saying a no to the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Yuriy Shakov, who is a key advisor on foreign policy to Vladimir Putin. He spoke to Russian State TV a short while ago, and he said such proposals for a ceasefire will offer nothing but a temporary respite for the Ukrainian forces. And he said nobody needs such steps.

Russia seems to be moving closer and closer to saying a no to the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Yuriy Shakov, who is a key advisor on foreign policy to Vladimir Putin. He spoke to Russian State TV a short while ago, and he said such proposals for a ceasefire will offer nothing but a temporary respite for the Ukrainian forces. And he said nobody needs such steps.

They will only imitate peaceful actions. He is an important figure. Of course, he's not Vladimir Putin, and he's really careful to – not speak out of line. But I don't think there's an easy way to row back from such statements. And he has been involved in talks with Americans very closely. He spoke to Mike Waltz, the American National Security Advisor, by phone yesterday night.