Vladimir Putin told a news conference that he agreed with the idea of a ceasefire, but he immediately spelled out a series of tough conditions that appeared to rule out agreement.

Vladimir Putin has struck a hard line over any deal to halt the fighting in Ukraine, even as he said he “supports the idea” behind a US-backed 30-day ceasefire. Russia’s president on Thursday said any ceasefire must lead to a final settlement of the conflict that would “solve the root causes” of his invasion.