Peskov announces that Russia could halt attacks for one day if Ukraine holds presidential elections

Russia could observe a one-day ceasefire in Ukraine to allow presidential elections to take place, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday, according to AFP. The announcement came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a 60-day ceasefire needed to organize the vote safely.

Peskov said that if Kyiv genuinely wants to hold elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, could order that Ukraine not be attacked on election day. The statement represents a limited willingness, conditional on the elections actually taking place, rather than an agreement to a general ceasefire.

The Kremlin’s position contrasts with statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He said Zelensky “does not deserve” a pause to organize elections and that Moscow does not intend to be persuaded again by promises or assurances.

Zelensky’s proposal came after U.S. President Donald Trump called for a change in Kyiv’s leadership. Trump accused Zelensky of continuing attacks on Russian refineries and of lacking the will to reach a peace agreement with Russia. The Kremlin, meanwhile, says it is pursuing a comprehensive peace agreement.