MOSCOW - Russia does not accept a temporary truce in the conflict in Ukraine and instead calls for lasting peace, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

In response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal for an Easter ceasefire on Monday, Peskov said that Zelensky's proposal did not constitute a clear initiative, noting that Zelensky should immediately pursue a durable peace settlement rather than a ceasefire, as the price of peace for Ukraine will only grow over time.

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"We reiterate that Zelensky must take responsibility and make the appropriate decision so that we achieve peace, not just a truce," Peskov said at a news briefing.

This year, Orthodox Easter will be celebrated in Ukraine and Russia on April 12.