US Treasury Secretary Bessent said on 14 August that she is not sure whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept a ceasefire proposal, underscoring the fragile state of the latest diplomatic overtures aimed at ending the fighting in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters, Bessent added that Washington is still exploring the possibility of new arms-control arrangements with Moscow but stressed that any relaxation of economic sanctions will depend on concrete steps by the Kremlin toward de-escalation.