The remarks by the Russian leader suggested he wanted to draw out negotiations or make a truce impossible. Ukraine’s leader called the response to a cease-fire plan “manipulative.”

WASHINGTON—President Trump finds himself a “yes” away from brokering a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. But it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who has to say it, and he is leaning in the other direction.

Russia says it will discuss the U.S. ceasefire proposal, but President Vladimir Putin has signaled he seeks to expel the remnants of Ukrainian forces from Kursk.