Kremlin: Putin Ready to Halt Strikes on Ukraine for Election, But Only for a Day
Is a one-day pause sufficient or is a longer truce necessary?
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Above: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pictured in Moscow on Dec. 19, 2025. Image credit: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Facts
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to halt strikes on Ukraine should it choose to hold an election. However, he added that such a move would only be in effect for election day.
- "The president has already spoken about this, but in this case, I can say with full responsibility on his behalf that if Kyiv truly wants to hold elections, then the Russian president, as supreme commander-in-chief, will be ready to order the army not to strike Ukraine on election day," Peskov said.
- The remarks came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — appearing on ABC News after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Ukraine should "get a new leader" — said that it is up to Ukrainians to choose their leader but that he told Trump's team an election could be organized if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
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The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
It is up to Ukrainians to decide their leader. Trump is lashing out because it is easier to blame someone else than hold Russia accountable for its aggression. Meanwhile, the whole world knows that the reason for increases in the price of oil is the conflict in the Middle East. However, if Trump and Putin want Ukraine to hold elections, then a 60-day ceasefire must be agreed.
Pro-Russia narrative
If Ukraine is serious about holding elections, then Putin is prepared to order the military not to launch strikes on election day. However, a 60-day ceasefire is out of the question as Russia favors a lasting peace that holds for generations, rather than a brief respite, only for the conflict to start up once again.
