Moscow, October 13 (QNA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to order a halt to strikes on Ukraine on the day of a presidential election if Kyiv is genuinely willing to hold one, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, ruling out a broader ceasefire proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Peskov said Putin, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, would be ready to issue such an order specifically for election day.
The Kremlin has rejected Zelenskyy's proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to allow Ukraine to hold presidential elections, insisting that Moscow seeks a lasting peace agreement rather than a temporary suspension of hostilities.
Peskov also said Russia had been prepared to resume peace negotiations immediately after Russia's State Duma elections. He accused Ukraine of launching unprecedentedly large-scale attacks on Moscow, attempting to disrupt the vote and striking polling stations.
He said the situation required Russia to take effective measures and make responsible decisions aimed at securing a lasting peaceful settlement, while commending US mediation efforts.
Reiterating Moscow's position on the proposed 60-day truce, Peskov said Russia did not seek a temporary ceasefire but a long-term peace agreement and was prepared to do everything possible to achieve it. (QNA)