Kremlin rejects the idea of a ceasefire for a referendum in Ukraine
The Kremlin categorically rejected the proposal to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine for the purpose of holding a referendum on the territories.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that a pause in hostilities would not be considered as a tool for political procedures by Kyiv.
He emphasized that Moscow considers such initiatives unacceptable and sees no grounds to revise its position.
Peskov claims that a ceasefire proposed to organize voting “would be a deception” and, in his view, merely “brainwashing.” According to the Kremlin representative, Russia is supposedly interested in a “long-term peace,” not a short pause on the front.
He stressed that any cessation of hostilities that might give Kyiv a “breather” is considered unacceptable in Moscow.
Peskov added that peace in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin, should be based on “reliable guarantees,” not on referendum initiatives promoted by the Ukrainian side.
If, as he put it, a ceasefire is needed “for holding a territorial referendum,” then “under that pretext, it will not happen.” He also specifically noted that attempts to use the topic of a ceasefire as a political instrument to change the situation on the front will not be accepted by Russia.
