Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine next month, a move met with skepticism by Ukrainian officials who demanded the Kremlin leader immediately accept a longer truce proposal from the United States that he has so far rejected.

President Trump "wants to see a permanent ceasefire first, to stop the killing, stop the bloodshed," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Russia fears that during a 30-day truce with Ukraine, its Western partners will help strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine, states Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to Interfax. The official complained that EU leaders are demanding that Russia agree to a 30-day ceasefire without any additional conditions.