Zelensky begs for 2-month election truce, Russia counters with bold plan: Munich challenge backfires

Fresh diplomatic sparring has erupted in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war after a top Kremlin aide hit back at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over his ceasefire-for-elections proposal. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin revived Moscow’s “election-day truce” offer, accusing Kyiv of failing to hold presidential elections and branding Zelensky “illegitimate” after his term expired in 2024. Galuzin cited Russia’s March 2024 presidential vote, held during ongoing military operations, claiming polling stations operated even near combat zones. He accused Kyiv of attempting to disrupt voting in frontline regions and said Russia would allow Ukrainians to exercise what he called their constitutional electoral rights. The remarks come after Zelensky’s statement at the Munich Security Conference, where he said Ukraine could consider elections following at least a two-month ceasefire. Zelensky even suggested Kyiv could announce a ceasefire for Russia if Moscow agreed to electoral conditions.