Russia rejects Ukraine ceasefire, accuses West of hidden plan

Russia has rejected calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing the West of a strategic shift in its approach to the conflict. He claims Western powers are now pushing for a truce to give Ukraine a respite. Lavrov stated that the West's sudden interest in a ceasefire contradicts its previous stance, which demanded Ukrainian victory before negotiations. He alleges this change indicates a hidden agenda, though he did not specify what that agenda might be. This rejection comes amid ongoing international efforts to find a resolution to the war. The Russian government's stance suggests a continued commitment to its military objectives in Ukraine.