The Kremlin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to organize presidential elections. Instead, Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to suspend strikes on Ukraine for just one day — election day itself.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov outlined Moscow’s position, accusing Kyiv of attempting to use the election issue to gain a temporary military advantage.
According to Peskov, Ukrainian authorities allegedly have no genuine intention of holding elections and instead want two months to rebuild their military capabilities.
“They need 60 days of ceasefire not for elections, but to regroup, recover, and continue the war,” Peskov declared.
He emphasized that Putin was prepared to order Russian forces not to carry out strikes against Ukraine on election day itself, but offered no broader security guarantees for the preparation or conduct of the vote.
The statement came after Zelensky proposed a comprehensive 60-day ceasefire, arguing that Ukraine could organize presidential elections if Russia suspended its attacks for that period. The Ukrainian president also called on US President Donald Trump to support the initiative.
Trump had previously sharply criticized Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the war with Russia. The US president claimed that the Ukrainian leader had repeatedly had opportunities to end the war but had failed to take them.
Trump also called on Ukrainians to elect a new president, effectively questioning Zelensky’s continued leadership. His remarks came amid criticism from Washington over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Presidential elections in Ukraine have been postponed due to martial law, introduced following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian legislation prohibits national elections while martial law remains in effect.
Beyond the legal restrictions, organizing a nationwide vote during an ongoing war presents major security and logistical challenges. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, large areas remain under Russian occupation, and hundreds of thousands of military personnel are serving in the Armed Forces.
Ensuring equal voting rights for soldiers, refugees, and residents of frontline regions would require extensive preparations and credible security guarantees.
Peskov also accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt Russian parliamentary elections through attacks on Moscow and polling stations, including in Ukrainian territories that Russia claims to have annexed. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The Kremlin’s position highlights fundamental disagreements between Kyiv and Moscow over the conditions necessary to hold elections during the war. While Zelensky has proposed a temporary nationwide ceasefire, Putin’s offer would effectively leave Ukraine exposed to Russian attacks throughout almost the entire election preparation period.
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