Putin Opposes Ceasefire, Citing Risks of Ukrainian Forces Regrouping

Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, arguing it would allow Ukrainian forces to fortify their positions.

Speaking at his annual press conference on December 19, the Russian leader addressed a question on the feasibility of halting fire by both sides.

“Can the fighting be stopped right now? […] Stopping for even a week means giving the enemy a chance to entrench themselves in these positions, to rest, and to receive the necessary equipment and ammunition, which is critical for preparing their personnel,” Putin said.

“A prolonged ceasefire would allow the enemy to focus on this—training and reinforcing their troops. […] Do you want to allow them to regroup?”

Earlier, during the same broadcast, Putin stated that he does not view the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria as a defeat for Russia, claiming Moscow has achieved its goals.