Russia Rejects 60-Day Ceasefire, Signals Election-Day Restraint in Ukraine
What Happened
Russia has rejected Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to allow Ukraine to hold presidential elections, saying it prefers a long-term peace settlement rather than a temporary halt in fighting. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Putin could order Russian forces not to carry out attacks on the day Ukraine holds its presidential vote.
Key Takeaways
The exchange highlights the continued gap between Moscow and Kyiv on ending the war. While Russia has ruled out a temporary truce, it has left open the possibility of limited security guarantees during a future Ukrainian election. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has accused Russia of violating a recently announced energy ceasefire and urged the US to ensure Moscow honours any agreement.