Russia has rejected a proposal to freeze the war in Ukraine along the existing front line, saying any halt in fighting must address what Moscow calls the 'root causes' of the conflict. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said on Monday that President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly ruled out a freeze without those issues being resolved.
The statement came as the United States prepared a new diplomatic push, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to travel to Kyiv and Moscow. Washington is considering proposals that could include a limited agreement to halt Russian and Ukrainian air attacks as it seeks to restart stalled negotiations.
