Vitaly Shevchenko

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.

Before that, he was a key negotiator for Russia in talks with Americans in Saudi Arabia a couple of weeks ago. So I think he knows which way the wind is blowing in the Kremlin. And it's looking increasingly likely that Russia will not agree to this ceasefire.

Before that, he was a key negotiator for Russia in talks with Americans in Saudi Arabia a couple of weeks ago. So I think he knows which way the wind is blowing in the Kremlin. And it's looking increasingly likely that Russia will not agree to this ceasefire.

Steve Witkoff, the American envoy, he arrived in Moscow this morning and there is room for maneuver. It's not impossible for Vladimir Putin to turn around and say, you know what, ignore what my officials are saying. We are going to agree to a ceasefire. That would be extremely unlikely, but not impossible.

Steve Witkoff, the American envoy, he arrived in Moscow this morning and there is room for maneuver. It's not impossible for Vladimir Putin to turn around and say, you know what, ignore what my officials are saying. We are going to agree to a ceasefire. That would be extremely unlikely, but not impossible.

And of course, there's a reason why Steve Witkoff is in Moscow today, even after, as Yuriy Shokhov says, Moscow told the Americans that they don't like the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine. So there is a tiny possibility that they'll work something out, but it's unlikely.

And of course, there's a reason why Steve Witkoff is in Moscow today, even after, as Yuriy Shokhov says, Moscow told the Americans that they don't like the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine. So there is a tiny possibility that they'll work something out, but it's unlikely.

it's clear that there's one man that will be taking decisions of that magnitude, and his name is Vladimir Putin. If history is anything to go by, None of the numerous attempts to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine, none of them have worked so far. Less than a week ago, the Russian foreign ministry rejected proposals, similar proposals of a ceasefire coming from France and the UK. And

it's clear that there's one man that will be taking decisions of that magnitude, and his name is Vladimir Putin. If history is anything to go by, None of the numerous attempts to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine, none of them have worked so far. Less than a week ago, the Russian foreign ministry rejected proposals, similar proposals of a ceasefire coming from France and the UK. And

It remains to be seen whether the fact that this one is coming from America will make any difference. But if this ceasefire is implemented, if it holds, that is going to be unprecedented in the history of this 11-year war.

It remains to be seen whether the fact that this one is coming from America will make any difference. But if this ceasefire is implemented, if it holds, that is going to be unprecedented in the history of this 11-year war.

So far, what we've heard from Russia doesn't suggest that their appetites are in any way diminished when it comes to Ukraine. They're still saying that they intend to capture more territory. The special military operation goes on. When it comes to America... That's where Russia has much less leverage.

So far, what we've heard from Russia doesn't suggest that their appetites are in any way diminished when it comes to Ukraine. They're still saying that they intend to capture more territory. The special military operation goes on. When it comes to America... That's where Russia has much less leverage.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago, Vladimir Putin made the unprecedented step of offering America to jointly exploit Russia's mineral resources and also resources in the captured parts of Ukraine. That's not something that Russia had said before. And it suggests a degree of concern in the Kremlin about Donald Trump.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago, Vladimir Putin made the unprecedented step of offering America to jointly exploit Russia's mineral resources and also resources in the captured parts of Ukraine. That's not something that Russia had said before. And it suggests a degree of concern in the Kremlin about Donald Trump.

And it looks like Moscow may be trying to offer Donald Trump a better deal than Ukraine is able to offer.

And it looks like Moscow may be trying to offer Donald Trump a better deal than Ukraine is able to offer.

But there are several levels of Russian reaction that we've seen so far. Officially, there's not much. We've only had this statement circulated by Russian official news agencies, quoting the foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova, who said that Russia does not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives in the next few days, whatever that means.

But there are several levels of Russian reaction that we've seen so far. Officially, there's not much. We've only had this statement circulated by Russian official news agencies, quoting the foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zaharova, who said that Russia does not rule out contacts with U.S. representatives in the next few days, whatever that means.

pro-war commentators and war reporters in Russia. They don't really like these moves towards peace. In practical terms, I suppose you can see what's been going on in the skies over Ukraine as a Russian reaction. There have been numerous attacks by Russian drones targeting Ukrainian cities in Dnipropetrovsk. More than 20 drones were have been attacking various places across the city.