Russia does not want a cease-fire that would give Kiev time to rest and the opportunity to prepare for the continuation of the war, but a full-fledged peace, said the spokesman of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, on Tuesday. in response to a question about Moscow’s position on Kyiv’s proposal for a possible Christmas truce. TASR informs about it based on the reports of Le Monde and the BBC station.
- Russia is looking for full-fledged peace, not a short-term truce.
- Dmitry Peskov responded to Kyiv’s proposal for a Christmas truce.
- Peskov emphasized the goal of ending the war and ensuring European peace.
- German Chancellor Merz asked Putin to stop the fighting during Christmas.
- During the invasion, Russia declared a ceasefire only once, in May 2023.
“If the Ukrainians want to prioritize short-term, unrealistic solutions over a deal, it is unlikely that we will be willing to participate in that,” Peskov said regarding a possible Christmas truce.
“We want peace, not a ceasefire that would essentially give Ukraine a reprieve and pave the way for renewed fighting. We want to end this war, achieve our goals, defend our interests and guarantee peace in Europe for the future. That’s what we want.” emphasized Peskov.
On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop fighting in Ukraine during Christmas. “Maybe the Russian leadership still has a bit of human decency and will leave the population alone from this terror for at least a few days during Christmas,” said Merz on Monday evening at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin.
Russian media recalled a week ago that during the so-called special military operation – this is the term used in Russia to describe the Russian invasion of Ukraine – the Russian leadership declared a cease-fire only once – on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. Putin’s order to halt all military operations was in effect from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11.
The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill called for a Christmas truce at the beginning of 2024 so that the faithful could participate in the holiday services. However, the Ukrainian side rejected this proposal and called it a propaganda move.
