March 14, 2025
The Kremlin response
At a press-conference in Moscow on March 13, President Vladimir Putin said that he is in favor of a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine that could lead to a permanent peace. He stated that Russia “… agree with the proposals to stop hostilities. But our position is that this ceasefire should lead to a long-term peace and eliminate the initial causes of this crisis.” At the same time, he raised concerns regarding how such a truce be implemented in reality. Putin labeled such concerns as “nuances.”
In his words, Russia wants guarantees that during that interval Ukraine will not conduct additional forceful mobilization and will not receive weapons from outside. He excluded a chance to leave Kursk Region free by trapped Ukrainian GIs whom he labelled on March 11 as “terrorists” who have committed many crimes against civilians.
Putin also asked about potential verification of the ceasefire along 2,000 km Line of Combat Engagement, and wondered who will issue orders to lay down arms during such an end of hostilities.
Russia’s next steps
“These are all questions that demand a thorough examination from both sides”, Putin finalized.
He thanked President Donald Trump for paying much attention to the conflict resolution, and noted that there are relevant issues to be discussed with him. Earlier Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian side is ready to promptly arrange a phone call with the US leader if needed.
Speaking to journalists the same evening Peskov confirmed Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow, stating that the US envoy had met with Putin to deliver “additional details” to the Russian leader. Putin also supplied him with “information and additional signals for President Trump,” Peskov noted, at the same time avoiding to disclose any details. He expressed cautious optimism over the deal.
No doubt that it will be torpedoed by the US resumption of arms deliveries to Ukraine and sharing sensitive intelligence with it. Both steps will be used to kill more Russians – both military men and civilians. It is unforgettable. For ages.
Jeddah statement: what does it mean per se?
The statement by the United States and Ukraine about the meeting in Jeddah actually is not an agreement. These provisions are the short thesis for the lecture. Or at least a joint communique. Therefore, it resembles the Minsk Agreements – documents without specific deadlines and without any responsibility for potential violations. That is why the Minsk accords have been easily violated by Kiev. Russia never violated them because it has never been an official part of them.
In this case a more practical approach is needed. It is necessary for Washington and Moscow to prepare full draft agreements: on a cease-fire, and subsequently b) on the establishment of enduring peace. Both texts should have a preamble and specific articles, and the names of signatories.
That’s the only way out from a gloomy and long impasse. Other options will be empty ballyhoo.
Ukrainian losses in Kursk Region
Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in Kursk Region, western Russia, have been encircled and isolated, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on March 11. He also announced that UAF suffered about 67,000 casualties in the area since August 6, 2024, the Ukrainian invasion. He said that enemy soldiers were surrendering, with 430 prisoners already taken by March 11. Ukrainian military contingent in the region occupies 14 percent of the territory captured by it since August 6, 2024. Currently, military command over Ukrainian troops in this zone is lost.
Gerasimov reported on the situation in Kursk Region during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at one of the command posts in the area.
According to Russian Defense Ministry, by March 12, 2025 since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the UAF losses amounted to more than 66,810 troops, 392 tanks, 314 infantry fighting vehicles, 275 armoured personnel carriers, 2,191 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,411 motor vehicles, 545 artillery guns, 52 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles,120 EW stations,16 counter-battery warfare radars, ten air defence radars, 56 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counter-obstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.
Since March 13, 2025 Sudzha is under full Russian military control.
Total Ukrainian military losses since 2022
In total, since the beginning of the Special Military Operation, the AFU losses amounted to 657 aircraft, 283 helicopters; 46,361 unmanned aerial vehicles, 600 anti-aircraft missile systems; 22,127 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles; 1,526 MLRS combat vehicles; 22,508 field artillery guns and mortars, plus 32,717 units of support military vehicles.
Russia is still committed to eliminate the initial causes of this crisis in Europe, cased by Ukrainian aggression started since April 2014.
