Russia takes a tough stance on the ceasefire protocol, and US officials are heading to Moscow for negotiations.

US negotiators arrived in Moscow on Thursday to prepare for ceasefire protocol negotiations with the Russian side regarding the Ukraine war. However, there is still uncertainty about whether Russia will accept this temporary ceasefire proposal developed without its participation.

The 30-day ceasefire protocol mediated by the White House is putting pressure on Russia, with the US claiming that the protocol will be a litmus test of the Kremlin's willingness to truly end the war. Despite active promotion by the US, Russia's response appears cautious and tough.

The United States is exerting pressure, and Russia's attitude is cold.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Russia now needs to make a decision as he and Ukrainian officials earlier agreed on a ceasefire protocol. U.S. President Donald Trump also emphasized that if Russia does not accept the ceasefire, it will face 'devastating financial consequences,' hinting at possible further sanctions.

However, the Russian side's attitude is not optimistic. Prior to formal negotiations, Yuri Ushakov, assistant to the Russian president, told Russian state media that the ceasefire may only give the Ukrainian military a 'breather.' He emphasized: 'This is just a temporary measure to allow the Ukrainian military forces to regroup. Our goal is still a long-term peaceful solution and to ensure that Russia's legitimate interests are respected.'

The Kremlin responded quietly as the US delegation arrived in Moscow

The US delegation led by special envoy to the President, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Moscow on Thursday, ready to start formal negotiations with the Russian side. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news, but remains tight-lipped about the negotiation results.

"Yes, the negotiators have arrived, there is indeed a meeting scheduled, but we will not jump to conclusions prematurely, let's wait until after the negotiations," Peskov told reporters. He added that the Russian side is still reviewing the details of the ceasefire proposal.

According to the protocol, the ceasefire will last for 30 days and can be extended with the consent of both parties. The protocol also includes a prisoner exchange, the release of detained civilians, and the repatriation of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia. As part of the ceasefire plan, the United States has lifted the temporary suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine and resumed military assistance.

Russia set a red line, and Putin has not yet made a statement.

Russia has repeatedly emphasized that it has its "red lines" for any ceasefire protocol, including not allowing foreign troops to enter Ukraine or build foreign military bases there. On Thursday, the Kremlin reiterated this position.

Currently, Russian President Putin (Vladimir Putin) has not commented on this protocol. Instead, he chose to put on military uniform and go to Kursk near the Ukrainian border, which was briefly invaded by Ukrainian forces last August. Putin's frontline inspection is interpreted by the outside world as a symbol of Russia's dominance on the battlefield.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that its military is steadily advancing and is about to fully recover the Kursk region.

Analysts: Russia may refuse ceasefire, US may demand concessions from Ukraine

Although the United States and Ukraine are trying to push for a ceasefire, analysts are skeptical about whether Russia will accept the proposal. Andrius Tursa, a Central and Eastern Europe consultant at Teneo, pointed out that Russia will face a 'ceasefire curveball' from the US and Ukraine, but Russia may not easily accept it, and even if they agree, they may not necessarily comply.

In Moscow, there are also voices that believe that any ceasefire protocol should be led by Russia, not decided by the United States. A senior Russian official said on Wednesday, 'If there is a protocol, it will also be Moscow's conditions, not Washington's.'

Senior market strategist Tim Ash believes that Ukraine has successfully seized the diplomatic initiative by actively participating in ceasefire protocol negotiations. He said, 'Now the question is, how will Putin respond? If he refuses the ceasefire, he will be portrayed as the 'culprit of peace disruption' and may incur Trump's wrath as a result.'

The Russian expert on the Russian issue of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) also believes that Russia is unlikely to accept a ceasefire in the short term. He warned, "The White House may increase pressure on Ukraine as a result and demand concessions from Kyiv. Europe must act quickly to help Ukraine reduce its dependence on the United States, especially in the areas of intelligence and air defense, to ensure that Kyiv can survive between Russian attacks and changes in US policy."

This article, Russia takes a tough stance on the ceasefire protocol, and US officials travel to Moscow for negotiations, first appeared in ChainNews ABMedia.