Putin instructs Gerasimov to prepare for potential Ukrainian aggressive actions during ceasefire - Ifax

Putin instructs Gerasimov to prepare for potential Ukrainian aggressive actions during ceasefire - Ifax

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, to prepare for potential Ukrainian aggressive actions during a ceasefire, according to a recent report from Ifax. This directive comes amidst ongoing negotiations between the United States and Russia, aimed at achieving a broader ceasefire and ultimately a peace deal in Ukraine.

The new offensive in Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv regions, led by Russian forces, has seen limited success. Despite amassing tens of thousands of troops on the border, Moscow's resources have been insufficient to capture significant territory. Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) head Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov has stated that while Russian forces are in Sumy near the border, they lack the troops to capture Sumy City [1].

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that Russian forces continue to marginally advance in the Sumy-Kursk Oblast border area but are unlikely to launch a major offensive operation against Sumy City in the near term without significant reinforcements [2]. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces believe that Russia intends to create a "buffer zone" in the region through an encirclement or semi-encirclement of Sumy [3].

The ceasefire negotiations are being facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is pushing for a wider ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement. However, both sides are currently jockeying for more land to better their position at the bargaining table, with neither making significant gains [4]. The latest ISW assessment reports few gains across 600 miles of frontlines in Ukraine and additional territory inside Russia [5].

The U.S. has offered a new proposal for Ukrainian mineral rights, reverting to Trump’s initial demand that Ukraine repay the United States for the billions it has received in military and financial aid since Russia’s invasion three years ago [6]. Nations supporting Ukraine pledged donations of nearly $24 billion in military aid during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) held in Brussels last week [7].

Despite the ongoing negotiations and the U.S. proposal, the situation on the ground remains fluid. The Russian offensive in Ukraine continues to face logistical and resource challenges, while Ukraine maintains a small presence in Russia’s Belgorod region to help protect Sumy and Kharkiv [8].

References:
[1] https://www.twz.com/news-features/new-russian-offensive-has-gained-little-ground-so-far
[2] https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1711011571840943360
[3] https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1710980901630835200
[4] https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1711011571840943360
[5] https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1711011571840943360
[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/world/europe/us-ukraine-mineral-rights.html
[7] https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1710980901630835200
[8] https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1710980901630835200