Kathmandu, March 20: Russian President Vladimir Putin has firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that it is “against his interests.” His stance comes after Russia dismissed a U.S.-led proposal for an immediate and complete ceasefire.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko commented on the situation, saying that Russia’s latest aggression in Ukraine demonstrates Putin’s real response to peace efforts. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Merezhko said, “It’s humiliating for Trump because his ceasefire proposal was rejected by Putin. The main question now is what he will do next.”

During a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Putin reportedly agreed to limit attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, European leaders remain skeptical about Russia’s commitment to de-escalation.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed the supposed agreement as meaningless. Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, he said, “On the first night after this so-called important phone call, there were no attacks on civilian targets. But Putin is playing a game, and I’m sure the U.S. president won’t sit idly by for long.”

As tensions remain high, the rejection of a ceasefire casts doubt on the possibility of diplomatic resolutions in the near future.