'No ceasefire': Russia makes another statement on truce
Photo: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Getty Images)
Russia has said there will be no ceasefire to allow Ukraine to hold presidential elections, according to a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as quoted by Russian media.
Lavrov said Russia would not agree to a ceasefire that, according to him, would allow Ukraine to "rearm itself."
As usual, the Russian foreign minister blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for everything.
"Zelenskyy has made it clear that he is not interested in elections and has set conditions in advance that are obviously unacceptable. There will be no ceasefire to bring him back to his senses and rearm him," he said.
Ceasefire to hold elections
US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine should supposedly choose a new leader capable of reaching a peace agreement.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to hold elections if the United States secured a full ceasefire with Russia for at least 60 days.
According to the president, the safety of citizens who come to polling stations must be ensured for the vote to take place. He also stressed that the decision on when to hold elections and whom to elect belongs to Ukrainians.
However, the Kremlin cynically stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order strikes on Ukraine to stop only on election day, "if Kyiv decides to hold them."
