Putin offers Ukraine election-day truce for votes from citizens in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a conditional halt to military strikes in Ukraine, suggesting Moscow could cease deep strikes on the day of any Ukrainian elections if Kyiv permits citizens living in Russia to participate. The Russian leader outlined this position during his annual year-end press conference held in Moscow on Friday.

Linking a Truce to Voting Rights

"We are ready to consider ensuring security during the elections in Ukraine. At the very least, to stop, to refrain from strikes deep into the territory on the voting day," Putin stated. He explicitly tied this potential pause in hostilities to the voting rights of an estimated 5 to 10 million Ukrainian citizens currently residing within Russian territory, a population largely comprised of refugees and displaced persons since the conflict began.

A Demand to Kyiv

Putin framed the issue as a demand on Ukrainian election organizers. "If elections are to be held, then we have the right to demand from those who will organize them that Ukrainians currently residing in Russia be given the right to vote on the territory of the Russian Federation," he emphasized. This condition presents a significant political and logistical challenge for any future electoral process in Ukraine, which does not recognize Russian authority over its citizens abroad.

Context of the Ongoing Conflict

The offer comes amid the protracted war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its third year. Previous ceasefire attempts have been short-lived or unsuccessful. Putin's proposal, limited to a single election day and contingent on a major concession, is unlikely to be viewed as a substantive step toward a comprehensive peace by Kyiv, which has consistently demanded a full withdrawal of Russian forces from all occupied territories as a precondition for negotiations.