To avoid new sanctions, Putin has proposed an “air truce” with Ukraine.

The Kremlin suggests a temporary ceasefire and ceasing missile and drone strikes if Ukraine agrees to a similar measure. However, Moscow does not intend to completely end hostilities and plans to continue the war, believing its troops still hold the advantage on the front line. The Russian dictator repeatedly confirmed that he is not willing to discuss a complete ceasefire.

The US State Department neither confirmed nor denied reports of a possible air truce between Russia and Ukraine, stressing that everything hinges on President Donald Trump. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated she lacked sufficient information to comment and reiterated that the final decision rests with the White House chief. Bruce also highlighted that the Trump administration has a wide array of tools, including secondary sanctions, at its disposal that it can use to influence countries.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, views the talk of an “air truce” by Russia as a trap, as there is no genuine intention behind it to stop the war.

“The Russian Federation wants an air pause to gather resources for future strikes and to avoid sanctions by continuing the ground war. A full ceasefire and leader meetings are crucial. Everything else is Russian deception, which must be met with sanctions immediately”, he emphasized.