Lavrov rules out Ukraine ceasefire ahead of possible elections

Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov has said there will be no ceasefire in Ukraine — at least not one that would let Kyiv recover and replenish its weapons stocks. He was responding to a question about whether Russia would make concessions in possible peace talks if Ukraine held a presidential election, the Interfax agency reports.

“Mr. Zelensky has made it perfectly clear that he is not interested in elections, because he has set conditions for them that are plainly unacceptable. There will be no ceasefire — certainly not one that would allow him to recover and replenish his weapons,” Lavrov said.

What Zelensky proposed

Zelensky offered to hold an election after US President Donald Trump said it was time for Ukraine to choose a new leader capable of securing a peace deal with Russia. The Ukrainian president set a condition: the US must ensure that Russia observes a complete ceasefire for the 60 days of election preparations and the vote itself.

Holding an election requires safety for the citizens who come to cast their ballots, Zelensky stressed. He added that when the election takes place and whom people choose is a matter for the Ukrainian people alone.

Kremlin: just one day without fighting

The Kremlin was willing to offer only one thing: President Vladimir Putin could order a halt to attacks on Ukraine on election day only — “if Kyiv decides to hold one at all.”

Ukraine’s presidential election was due on 31 March 2024: under the constitution, it is held on the last Sunday of March in the fifth year of the sitting president’s term. However, because of the martial law in force since Russia’s invasion on 24 February 2022, no vote took place. Ukrainian law does not allow presidential elections during martial law, and while it remains in effect, they can be postponed.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz