Russia rejects Christmas truce with Ukraine as Trump continues push for peace deal

Russia has rejected a Christmas truce put forward by Germany, because it would give Ukraine’s forces a chance to regroup, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said on Tuesday. “We want peace. We don’t want a truce that would give Ukraine time to rest and prepare to continue the war,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

“If the Ukrainians’ desire to substitute reaching a deal with short-term, unviable solutions begins to dominate, then we are unlikely to be willing to participate,” he added.

Following talks in Berlin on Monday, Interfax reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had called on Russia to agree to a Christmas truce with Ukraine, saying it could be “the beginning of peace.”

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelesky said that both Ukraine and the United States supported the idea of a Christmas truce, but that any temporary ceasefire would ultimately “depend on Russia’s political will.”

“The United States supports this idea. I, as president, certainly support this idea,” Zelenskyy told reporters, suggesting an “energy ceasefire” as a possible alternative. “We will support any ceasefire,” he underscored.