Putin signals he is ready for a ceasefire in Ukraine - The New York Times

Despite his public bravado, Putin shows interest in reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Through backstage diplomatic channels, the Russian president is signaling that he is ready to to conclude a deal. This was reported by The New York Times, according to UNN.

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The journalists refer to two former Russian officials close to the Kremlin, U.S. officials and international officials who have received messages from Putin's representatives.

It is noted that emboldened by Ukraine's failed counteroffensive and weak Western support, Putin says Russia's military goals have not changed. Addressing his generals, he boasted that Ukraine is so besieged that Russian invasion forces are doing "what we want them to do."

According to sources, since September, Putin has been sending signals through intermediaries that he is open to a a ceasefire that would freeze the fighting along the current front line.

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In fact, according to U.S. officials, Putin was trying to probe the possibility of a a ceasefire agreement a year earlier, in the fall of 2022. This quiet performance, previously unreported, came after Ukraine defeated the Russian army in the northeast of the country. Putin said he was satisfied with with the territory captured by Russia and is ready for a truce, officials said.

The NYT notes that dozens of of interviews with Russians who have known him for years and with international officials with a with international officials with a good understanding of the Kremlin's inner workings show that Putin is maneuvering to reduce risks and keep his options open in a war that is lasting longer than he expected.

They say: "We are ready to negotiate a ceasefire. They want to stay where they are on the battlefield

According to the newspaper, there is any evidence that Ukraine's leaders, who have pledged to return all of their territory, will accept such a deal.

Some U.S. officials say this could be an attempt by the Kremlin to mislead the world and does not reflect Putin's true desire to compromise, while former Russian officials add that Putin may well change his mind if the Russian army gains momentum, the NYT writes.

NYT's sources sources say the Russian president sees a favorable moment for a deal due to a confluence of factors: the fighting has reached a stalemate, Ukraine's failed counteroffensive, slowing support from the West, and the war in Israel, which is diverting attention from Ukraine.