Russia rules out peace deal as Ukraine denies killing 'Putin's mastermind' daughter

A senior Kremlin official has ruled out a ceasefire and peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, accusing the West of press on Ukraine in favor of a long conflict. Russia accused Ukraine of murdering 'Putin's mastermind's daughter

Hopes for a peace deal are far from close, according to a Kremlin official (

Image: via Reuters)

Kyiv authorities have banned gatherings celebrating the country's independence over fears of attacks as Russia ruled out a peace deal following an assassination.

Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Gennady Gatilov, said Russia and Ukraine were close to a ceasefire as talks took place, but said pressure western had encouraged Ukraine to abandon any agreement.

He said, "Now I don't see any possibility of diplomatic contacts. And the longer the conflict drags on, the more difficult it will be to have a diplomatic solution."

"They [Kyiv and its Western supporters] will fight to the last Ukrainian," he told the Financial Times.