Putin: Russia Approves Trump's Ceasefire Proposal

Moscow (ANTARA) - Russia will soon approve United States President Donald Trump’s proposal to extend the ceasefire with Ukraine and conduct a prisoner of war exchange, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday (9/5). “We will approve this soon. Moreover, in my view, this is the right proposal, driven by considerations of respect for our shared victory over Nazism, and clearly has a humanitarian character,” the Russian leader told journalists while commenting on Trump’s proposal. Putin said Russia has responded to threats from Kiev, and the previous statement from the Russian Defence Ministry regarding Moscow’s possible response to Kiev’s attempts to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations had been conveyed very clearly. According to Putin, Moscow not only issued a statement through the Russian Defence Ministry in response to Kiev’s provocative statements, but the Russian Foreign Ministry also issued a diplomatic note. He added that Russia has no desire to worsen relations with any party, but a response to Kiev’s provocation on Victory Day could lead to such a situation. Putin also said the Russian Defence Ministry has not yet reported to him whether there were any provocations during the Victory Day commemorations. “The armed forces must focus their attention on the final defeat of the enemy through the special military operation,” Putin told journalists.