Russia rejects ceasefire in Ukraine, Kremlin says it wants full peace

According to Peskov, Russia opposes a frontline ceasefire and is only considering the option of a "full peace." The presidential spokesperson claimed that a temporary halt to fighting would just "drag out the situation" and "mislead everyone."

Peskov also suggested that Ukrainian authorities' statements about a possible referendum on territorial issues could be "an attempt to create conditions for a pause on the front," which Moscow "will not accept."

"We want to work toward peace, not a ceasefire. A ceasefire is a pause, another deception, another delay, it’s brainwashing. Peace is needed," the Kremlin official said.

Peskov's comments come amid discussions about potential diplomatic initiatives and Western proposals on ways to resolve the war in Ukraine.

Ceasefire for elections

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said he is ready to hold elections during the war if partners, including the US and the EU, guarantee security and help organize them safely and within a reasonable timeframe.

This would involve temporarily halting hostilities during the election campaign and voting.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the US could play the biggest role in helping Ukraine achieve such a pause in the war to ensure safe conditions for the elections.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that Ukraine is no longer a democracy, arguing that elections have not been held there for a long time. He also said that the war in Ukraine is being used as an excuse to avoid holding elections.