Russia rejects 60-day ceasefire to enable elections in Ukraine
Photo: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
Russia has rejected the 60-day ceasefire proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov says that Russia allegedly wants not a ceasefire, but a long-term peace. According to him, Moscow is ready to do everything to achieve this.
In addition, he notes that Russia is grateful to the American negotiators for their efforts regarding Ukraine.
He adds that Putin is prepared to issue an order not to launch strikes against Ukraine on election day.
"But the 60 days that Zelenskyy is demanding are not needed for him to hold elections, but to regroup, heal their wounds, and continue the war," the Kremlin spokesperson says.
"I don’t think Zelenskyy deserves a ceasefire," says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would hold elections if the Kremlin leader agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
This statement came after US President Donald Trump called on Ukrainians to elect a new leader.
Kirill Dmitriev, a special representative of the Kremlin leader, called Trump's appeal to Ukrainians historic and landmark.
Trump himself explained his remarks by saying that, in his opinion, Zelenskyy did not want to reach an agreement.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that Russia is taking advantage of the fact that Ukraine cannot hold elections during the war and is dragging out the negotiations.
According to analysts, Moscow could allow elections at any time if it agrees to a ceasefire.
