Ukraine’s consent to a 30-day ceasefire proposal has handed the Kremlin a difficult challenge at a time when its military has an upper hand in the war.

President Vladimir Putin is no doubt thinking carefully about whether to accept the ceasefire proposal, reject it, or demand amendments to it. The idea of turning down - or amending - the ceasefire proposal seems to be gaining most traction among commentators.

Ukraine yesterday agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Russia after negotiators met in Saudi Arabia. The solution to this war and the way to end it and to achieve the president's objective of peace is to negotiate. But before you can negotiate, you have to stop shooting at each other.