Vitaly Shevchenko

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.

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