MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia sees no point in a weak ceasefire to freeze the war in Ukraine but Moscow wants a legally binding deal for a lasting peace that would ensure the security of both Russia and its neighbours,

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed Donald Trump’s calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, labelling it a “path to nowhere.” While Lavrov expressed openness to dialogue, he emphasized security guarantees and long-term agreements as prerequisites.

Russia has said it would only accept a legally binding ceasefire deal for a lasting peace that would ensure the security of both Russia and its neighbours. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said that a weak ceasefire to freeze the war in Ukraine would be futile and counterproductive.

Russia’s top security agency says that it has arrested several suspects accused of involvement in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate senior military officers.

The arrest announcement follows the death of Russia's Lt. Gen Igor Kirillov, who was killed on Dec. 17 by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday (December 26) that it had foiled several plots by Ukrainian intelligence services to kill high-ranking Russian military officers and their families in Moscow,