Kremlin says Ukraine seeks truce to regroup, not hold election

MOSCOW, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Ukraine-proposed 60-day ceasefire is aimed at allowing its forces to regroup its forces for fighting, rather than facilitating an election, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows an exterior view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (Photo: Xinhua)

"Kiev does not really want to hold elections, which is absolutely obvious. It needs a 60-day ceasefire not for elections, but to gather its strength, heal its wounds and continue the war," Peskov said in comments published on the Kremlin's social media channel.

Peskov also said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be prepared to order the military not to conduct strikes on Ukraine on election days if Ukraine genuinely intended to hold a presidential election.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that Ukraine should elect a new president, suggesting that Volodymyr Zelensky has failed to do enough to bring the conflict with Russia to an end.