Vladimir Putin proposes micro-ceasefire in Pokrovsk! Wants to show that he is ready for negotiations with Kiev

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian troops have surrounded Ukrainian forces in Kupyansk and Pokrovsk, and proposed a "(micro)ceasefire" for a period of two to six hours to allow the media to enter Pokrovsk.

Commenting on this proposal, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War note that in this way Putin seeks to state that Russia is not an obstacle to the peace process. At the same time, ISW does not confirm that Russian troops have surrounded Pokrovsk or Kupyansk.

"Putin is likely trying to use the micro-ceasefire proposal to show that Russia is interested in a ceasefire, especially given that Russia has publicly rejected US President Donald Trump's proposed ceasefire along the current front line," analysts note.