Russia has indicated it would suspend airstrikes on Ukraine on the day presidential elections are held, signalling a conditional pause in hostilities amid ongoing diplomatic manoeuvring over the war.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said Moscow would stop strikes if Kyiv proceeds with organising national polls, echoing earlier remarks by President Vladimir Putin. However, he stressed that there are currently no concrete preparations for elections in Ukraine.

The proposal comes as Ukraine continues to operate under martial law, which has prevented the scheduling of presidential elections due to security concerns and the ongoing conflict.

Condition Linked To Democratic Process

Galuzin framed the offer as a willingness to allow Ukrainian citizens to exercise their constitutional rights, provided the country moves toward elections. He accused Kyiv of attempting to disrupt Russia’s own presidential vote in 2024 through drone attacks and sabotage near frontline regions, claiming Moscow would not adopt similar tactics.

Russia’s leadership has repeatedly portrayed elections as a potential pathway to political resolution, though critics argue such conditions could be used to influence Ukraine’s internal processes during wartime.

Ukraine has maintained that free and fair elections are impossible while large parts of the country remain under attack and millions of citizens are displaced.

Zelenskyy Calls For Ceasefire First

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken a different stance, saying elections could be considered only after a full ceasefire. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Moscow into halting hostilities.

Zelenskyy suggested that Ukraine’s parliament could amend existing laws to enable voting if security conditions improved, indicating that any electoral process would depend on a sustained pause in fighting rather than a one-day guarantee.

The Ukrainian leadership has consistently argued that holding elections during active conflict would risk voter safety and legitimacy.

Diplomacy Intensifies Ahead Of Geneva Talks

The statement comes ahead of a reported trilateral meeting involving representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States scheduled in Geneva. The talks are expected to focus on ceasefire possibilities and broader pathways to de-escalation.

Russia’s conditional offer underscores the complex interplay between military strategy and political negotiations as the conflict drags on. While Moscow presents the move as a gesture toward democratic norms, Kyiv remains wary of proposals that fall short of a comprehensive ceasefire.

With no formal election timeline announced and fighting continuing across multiple fronts, the prospect of polls in Ukraine remains uncertain, even as international pressure for diplomatic solutions grows.

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