The U.S. reportedly declined Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s offer for a ceasefire in Ukraine after the Kremlin refused to relinquish any Ukrainian territory it had taken over since the invasion began.
According to Reuters, citing senior Russian sources, Putin had conveyed his willingness to halt hostilities, suggesting a freeze along the current conflict lines.
The U.S. dismissed the proposal, insisting on Ukraine’s involvement in any ceasefire discussions.
“The contacts with the Americans came to nothing,” revealed a senior Russian source to Reuters, pointing to the conclusive end of these attempts in early 2024. This sentiment was echoed by another source, who confirmed that the U.S. stance on Ukraine’s participation led to the breakdown of talks.
This revelation comes after the Senate approved a $95 billion aid package that includes support for both Ukraine and Israel.
Biden Blasts Trump’s Comments As ‘Dumb, Shameful, Dangerous’
President Joe Biden, meanwhile, issued a sharp rebuke against Donald Trump who recently encouraged Russia to do ‘whatever they want’ with NATO allies falling short of spending commitments on defense.
“No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will. For God's sake, it's dumb, it's shameful, it's dangerous, it's un-American,” Biden said.
“He doesn’t understand that NATO is built on fundamental principles of freedom, security and national sovereignty. Because for Trump, principles never matter. Everything is transactional.”
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices, as tracked by the U.S. Oil Fund USO surprisingly surged Tuesday by 0.8% to $78 a barrel, notching their seventh straight session in the green and marking the longest streak since September 2023.
Image: Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
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