Russian diplomats have said that a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, proposed by Paris and Kiev in particular, would be "absolutely unacceptable" as the conflict would eventually flare up again.
Talks on a possible ceasefire are in full swing as US President Donald Trump pushes for a quick end to the conflict and has halted arms and intelligence shipments to Ukraine, limiting its ability to repel the Russian offensive.
Ukrainian President Zelensky called for an immediate halt to attacks in the skies and at sea as the first stage of a possible peace deal, AFP reported.
On March 2, Macron told French newspaper Le Figaro that Paris and London were proposing a one-month truce to cover attacks "in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure."
But today Moscow appeared to rule out any temporary or partial ceasefire.
"Firm agreements are needed for a final settlement. Without all this, any postponement is absolutely unacceptable," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"We are dealing with a frank desire to secure a reprieve for the moribund Kiev regime at any cost and to prevent a collapse on the front," she said.
Ukraine will "use this pause, with the support of its allies, to strengthen its military potential," Zakharova added.
Ahead of possible settlement talks sparked by Moscow in February 2022, Russian officials are sticking to their firm demands.
They have ruled out ceding Ukrainian territory seized over the past three years, said a European peacekeeping force cannot be created, and reiterated their desire to shrink NATO's presence in Europe.
Trump's suspension of military aid to Ukraine has heightened fears in Kiev and across Europe that Ukraine may be forced to accept peace on terms favourable to Moscow. | BGNES