Kremlin Says Ukraine's Proposed Christmas Ceasefire Depends on Peace Deal

Dmitry Peskov. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Ukraine's proposed Christmas truce would depend on whether a peace deal was reached or not.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Kyiv supports the idea of a ceasefire, in particular for attacks on energy infrastructure, during the Christmas period.

Asked about the idea, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The question now is whether we, as President (Donald) Trump said, will reach an agreement or not," Al Arabiya from Reuters (16/12).

Peskov said Russia was unlikely to participate in the ceasefire if Ukraine focused on "unviable short-term solutions" rather than a lasting settlement.

"We want peace. We don't want a ceasefire to give Ukraine breathing space and prepare for the continuation of the war," Peskov explained.

"We want to stop this war, achieve our goals, secure our interests, and ensure peace in Europe for the future. That's what we want," he said.

Peskov said Moscow had not seen details of a proposal for NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine that US and European officials have said Washington has offered.