Russian dictator stated that "russia needs a long-term peace, not a truce" when asked if he was ready to agree to a ceasefire. He made this statement during a live call-in session with russians on December 18.
The russian dictator also claimed that "a prolonged period of truce would give the enemy an opportunity to prepare and retrain their personnel".
Putin further mentioned that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had allegedly suggested a Christmas truce "for a day or two" and a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and russia.
"I did not refuse. I said, in principle, we need to think about it. But ask them. He asked. The next day, the head of the regime stated that there would be no truce, no prisoner exchange", - putin claimed.
Putin previously stated that the invasion of Ukraine should have started earlier and that the decision on February 24 was "spontaneous".