Politics

Russia rejects idea of temporary ceasefire in Ukraine

The aftermath of a Russian air strike near Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, on March 6. One person was killed and two were injured. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu via Getty Images
The aftermath of a Russian air strike near Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, on March 6. One person was killed and two were injured. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu via Getty Images
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Russia has rejected proposals for a one-month truce in Ukraine, saying only a “final settlement” would be acceptable to Moscow.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, have suggested a short-term cessation of hostilities or a temporary halt in attacks for the sea or air.

But the Russian foreign ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying on Thursday: “Firm agreements on a final settlement are needed. Without all that, some kind of respite is absolutely unacceptable.”

In a related development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday Moscow would see the deployment of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as official involvement in the war of NATO forces.

Britain and France have both said they are prepared to send soldiers to enforce a ceasefire, though no firm decisions have yet been made.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said his country would choose a peace that suited its needs and provided long-term security.

“We must choose for ourselves a peace option that will suit us and that will ensure peace for our country in the long term,” Reuters quoted him as saying.
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