Russia Rejects Zelenskyy Proposal for 60-Day Election Ceasefire
Russia dismissed a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a 60-day ceasefire to hold presidential elections, calling the request a tactic to bargain for time.
Russia has rejected a proposal from Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a 60-day total ceasefire to allow Ukraine to organize presidential elections. During an interview with ABC's "This Week," Zelenskyy requested the two-month pause to facilitate the vote, a move following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for Ukraine to install a leader capable of negotiating a new deal.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the proposal on Monday, stating that Russia seeks a long-term peace deal rather than a temporary ceasefire. Moscow continues to argue that Zelenskyy is an illegitimate leader because his term expired in May 2024, though Ukrainian law prohibits elections under martial law.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov further criticized the request during a press conference in Moscow, asserting that Zelenskyy does not deserve a respite on the battlefield. Lavrov characterized the proposal as a theatrical attempt to bargain for time to secure more weapons from Europe and gather strength to continue the war. Zelenskyy has previously responded to pressure regarding his leadership by stating that the choice of a leader rests with the Ukrainian people.
