Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire. He specified that a truce of “at least 30 days,” backed by the United States, would be an “honest term” for the preparation of next steps. Zelensky first related his stance on Telegram, then spoke on the matter in a closed-door press conference later.
Zelensky called the proposal for a truce from May 8 to 11 “a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war.” He further stated that Ukraine will not “play games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin’s exit from isolation on May 9,” when leaders of twenty countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, arrive in Moscow to celebrate Victory Day, the anniversary of the end to World War II.
Putin had previously stated that he would agree to a 30-day truce only if Ukraine stopped receiving military aid from abroad.
The Ukrainian president reiterated that Kyiv “is ready for an immediate ceasefire” if Russia accepts these new conditions and stops the offensive immediately. So far, in fact, Kyiv has reported continuous attacks by Moscow, which would have violated even the partial truce on energy facilities negotiated last March 25.
