The Kremlin rejected this Tuesday (December 16, 2025) the Christmas peace proposed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and supported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after consultations with the United States in Berlin.
Merz proposed a Christmas ceasefire on Monday, which was immediately supported by Zelensky, who stressed that the United States also supported it. As a sign of goodwill for a final ceasefire, the Chancellor appealed to the Kremlin to stop attacks on the neighboring country, at least during the Christmas holidays.
A peace, not a ceasefire
“We want peace, not a ceasefire, which will give Ukrainians peace and allow them to prepare for the continuation of the war,” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in his daily telephone press conference. Peskov added that the cessation of hostilities “depends on whether we reach an agreement or not, as (US) President Donald Trump says.” Trump said yesterday he was “closer than ever” to a peace deal.
The Russian spokesman said his country’s position was “known and consistent” and he was “convinced” that it was understood by both Washington and Kiev. “We want to end the war, assert our interests and guarantee peace in Europe for the future,” he emphasized.
Among the issues discussed in Berlin, which included providing security guarantees to Kiev, Peskov stressed that Moscow would not respond “to press releases” as it had “not yet seen” the details of these plans.
LGC (EFE, RTR)
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