Russian presidential aide Ushakov: 30-day ceasefire proposal should be adjusted with due account of Russia's interests

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - The 30-day ceasefire proposal approved at the U.S.-Ukrainian meeting in Saudi Arabia should be adjusted with due account of Russia's interests, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.

"In my opinion, this is a hasty document. [...] It should be worked on, and our position should also be considered and taken into account. For now, only the Ukrainian approach is outlined there," Ushakov told journalists commenting on the proposed ceasefire in Ukraine.

He suggested that the ceasefire proposal might in fact be an attempt to give a break to the Ukrainian military in the current situation in the special military operation zone.

"We do not want a break, we want a lasting settlement with due account of our interests, which we have spoken about a million times," Ushakov told journalists.

In an interview with Channel One, Ushakov was asked whether the ceasefire proposal might be a trick while Russia is advancing in the special military operation zone.

"Well, yes. This is just some attempt to give a respite to the Ukrainian military, as it looks to me. This is far from a lasting settlement, which we've been talking about all the time and which would take into consideration our legitimate interests and our concerns," Ushakov said.

Ushakov said he had conveyed Russia's stance to U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

"Naturally, I commented on the temporary ceasefire agreement and conveyed our position, which views this as nothing but a break for Ukrainian troops," he said.

"After all, the president should somehow formulate our official position now. I am talking about tentative assessments," he said.

Russia will appoint negotiators specifically to discuss the issue of Ukraine with United States representatives, Ushakov said, adding that, for his part, he would continue contacts "via my own channels."

"There'll also be special negotiators to discuss precisely the Ukrainian case with the Americans. At least that's what has been agreed upon at present," Ushakov told journalists on Thursday.

Ushakov said that U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff was coming to Russia to discuss not only Ukraine but also bilateral relations between Russia and the United States.

"Everyone understands that he's coming to discuss not only Ukraine, but also Russian-American relations and their continued development, [...] including the economic aspect," Ushakov said.

However, Witkoff will not serve as an intermediary at negotiations with Russia, Ushakov said.

"The United States has chosen its intermediary at negotiations with Russia. It is not Steve Witkoff," Ushakov said in an interview with the Zvezda television channel.

Ushakov also said that Russia and the United States share the opinion that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO in the future.

"The Americans and we are of the view that NATO is just out of the question in the context of Ukraine settlement and in the context of Ukraine's future," Ushakov said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 (VGTRK) television channel.

The United States should be aware of Russia's position on Ukraine settlement and will hopefully take it into account in working on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, Ushakov said.

"We've spoken to the Americans at different levels; in particular, the president has spoken with President Trump. I hope they are aware of our position, and we'd like to believe that this position will be taken into consideration in the course of our further joint work," Ushakov told the Rossiya-1 (VGTRK) television channel, while commenting on media reports that Moscow has passed its terms for a Ukraine ceasefire deal to Washington.