Russia’s Attempts to Evade Full Ceasefire in Ukraine

With the deadline for imposing secondary sanctions on Russia having passed, President Vladimir Putin continues to seek ways to avoid a genuine ceasefire in Ukraine. Despite ongoing discussions, Moscow seems intent on maintaining its military momentum.

President Donald Trump has confirmed plans for a face-to-face meeting next week with Putin, which would delay the implementation of new sanctions. While recent conversations with Putin have been somewhat cordial, Trump has indicated they are ultimately unproductive—prompting the earlier move to set a firm deadline.

Reports suggest Putin is contemplating a “air truce,” though he has not officially announced this publicly. Such a pause would only halt drone and missile strikes temporarily, allowing Moscow to replenish its arsenal and resume offensive operations at will.

Trump’s position remains clear: he demands a comprehensive ceasefire accompanied by meaningful peace negotiations. Partial measures or mere ceasefires fall short of his expectations. While civilians in Ukraine would welcome a break from bombings, the broader strategic goal is for Russia to cease all military activities before sanctions—such as tariffs on Russian goods—are lifted.

Ukrainian President Zelensky advocates for a sincere resolution, one that guarantees Russia cannot re-enter the conflict and regain lost territory. Conversely, Putin seeks a “phony peace” that grants him territorial gains—such as control over Luhansk and Donetsk—and allows future interventions at Moscow’s discretion.

Until Moscow has a compelling reason to change course, Putin is likely to continue evading genuine commitments. The international community must consider applying stronger sanctions to pressure Russia into genuine negotiations and ending its aggressive campaign in Ukraine.