Russia wants the United States and the European Union to cease their arms supplies to Kiev as a precondition for a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war, the Kremlin said on Saturday, as European leaders convened in the Ukrainian capital.
“Otherwise, it will be an advantage for Ukraine,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the US broadcaster ABC.
Ukraine would use a ceasefire to continue its “total mobilization” and bring new troops to the front, to train new personnel and give current fighters a rest, Peskov said.
“Why should we grant such an advantage to Ukraine?” he asked, arguing that Russia is making progress in its offensive in Ukraine and has the initiative.
The spokesman for President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that US President Donald Trump would continue to use his influence on Ukraine and help Moscow to pressure Kiev into talks.
However, Ukraine is “trying to escape from negotiations,” Peskov said.
Putin has recently ordered short-term ceasefires at Easter and around the current celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The three-day pause in fighting is set to end on Saturday night, although the sides have traded accusations of violating the ceasefire over the past two days.