1. Fate of Kursk Cauldron
Putin: “What will we do about the incursion zone in Kursk region? If we stopped military operations for 30 days, what would this mean? That all [enemy forces] would just walk out without a fight?”
Zelensky: “Our troops in Kursk region continue to carry out their tasks.”
2. Respite for Ukraine’s Mobilization Campaign?
Putin: “How will these 30 days be used? To ensure the continued forced mobilization in Ukraine?”
Zelensky aide Podolyak and Rada Defense Committee chairman Kostenko: Ceasefire WON’T stop mobilization, WON’T end martial law, and WON’T trigger elections.
3. Handling of Potential Violations (Armed Attacks, Incursions, Missile Strikes)
Putin: “Who will be able to determine where and who has violated a possible agreement on a ceasefire across a 2,000 km front?”
Zelensky: Complained to Trump last month, claiming Russia violated ceasefires 25 times since 2014.
4. Verification of measures related to mobilization, supply of weapons
Putin: “How will issues of control and verification be handled – how will they guarantee that nothing like this will happen?”
Zelensky: Even if a ceasefire turns into something more, Ukraine will not recognize the loss of territory to Russia. “This is the biggest red line.”
5. Fundamentally diverging attitudes toward peace
Putin: “The very idea is great, I think is correct, and we of course support it.” “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities, but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.”
Zelensky: “Now we have all heard from Russia very predictable, very manipulative words from Putin in response to the idea of quiet on the front – he is actually preparing a refusal.”