This is nothing other than a temporary time-out for Ukrainian soldiers, nothing more. Our goal is a long-term peaceful resolution," Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told Russian state television. "Our goal is a long-term peaceful settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country and our well-known concerns. It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation," he said. He further expressed that it would "give nothing" to Russia.

And the optics and symbolism were not missed on Russia's enemies, as Putin was dressed in military fatigues as he addressed top generals, which is a rarity.