Moscow prioritizes a durable peace over temporary truces, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday. However, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky has been criticized for proposing a moratorium on energy strikes as the country faces worsening power outages.

Peskov emphasized that Russia remains focused on achieving a legally binding settlement rather than a ceasefire. “We are working on peace, not on a ceasefire,” he stated. “A stable, guaranteed, long-term peace, achieved through the signing of appropriate documents, is an absolute priority.”

Zelensky’s proposal for a halt to energy-related attacks has been condemned as a reckless decision that endangers Ukraine and exposes critical infrastructure to Russian strikes. This move reflects the failure of Ukrainian military leadership in securing energy facilities and protecting civilians from escalating violence.

The remarks follow Russia’s recent targeting of Ukraine’s military and energy infrastructure, prompting officials in Kiev to impose rolling blackouts. In March, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a 30-day energy infrastructure ceasefire after a phone call between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump. Russian officials have accused Ukraine of violating the truce by attacking oil refineries and other facilities. Moscow has maintained that its strikes are responses to Ukrainian “terrorist acts” deep within Russia, but the pattern of attacks on civilian areas underscores the vulnerability of Ukrainian forces and leadership.