Russia accuses Ukraine of rejecting temporary ceasefire for body handover

Russia's Defense Ministry has accused Ukraine of rejecting a temporary ceasefire that would have allowed Moscow to hand over the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers. The ministry proposed a six-hour ceasefire on Monday in the city of Kostiantynivka and its surroundings, stating Kyiv had until 9 a.m. Sunday to respond. This latest accusation from Russia has intensified the verbal sparring between the two sides over the city's status.

Russia claimed on Friday that its forces had fully captured the strategic city in the Donetsk region, a key target for Moscow's advances. However, Ukraine has vehemently denied this, insisting its troops still control the city. "Of course, that is not true. It is just another Russian fabrication, an attempt to make up stories," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via a post on platform X. "If Kostiantynivka were truly under Russian control, Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic path to end this war."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed Zelenskyy's offer. Peskov stated that Kostiantynivka is now part of Russia and reiterated that the Kremlin's invitation for Zelenskyy to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow remains open. Zelenskyy had reportedly sent a letter to Putin last month proposing face-to-face talks as a step toward peace after Russia's invasion.

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Of course, that is not true. It is just another Russian fabrication, an attempt to make up stories. If Kostiantynivka were truly under Russian control, Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic path to end this war.