Zelensky rejects Putin's ceasefire as mere showmanship
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, criticized the initiative by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to implement a ceasefire for three days, from May 7 to May 9, calling it a theatrical performance aimed at giving the impression that Russia is emerging from isolation. Zelensky insists on a 30-day truce according to the strategy proposed by U.S. authorities.
"An unconditional ceasefire is the model proposed by the Americans, and we are following it. Whether from this date or any other, preferably sooner. Yes, let's aim for 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? Because it's impossible to resolve anything meaningful in three, five, or seven days," said Zelensky on Saturday during a conversation with journalists.
Zelensky also highlighted the need to monitor any potential ceasefire. He stated that if a decision is made for a month-long ceasefire, there won't be an active war during that month, but there will undoubtedly be violations—not just 90 percent, but 100 percent. However, he added that given the nature of war and the current scale of military actions, this is unlikely to happen, of course. Everyone understands that the issue of monitoring must be resolved very quickly. Ceasefire is priority number one.
On Monday, the Russian authorities announced a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine from midnight on May 7 to May 8 until midnight on May 10 to May 11 "for humanitarian reasons." Moscow believes that "the Ukrainian side should follow this example."
Ceasefire for the parade on Red Square?
It's worth noting that Victory Day is celebrated in Russia on May 9, a national holiday commemorating the end of World War II.
The Kremlin's communication received a firm response from the White House.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that Putin proposed a temporary ceasefire. President Trump has made it clear that he wants a lasting ceasefire—primarily to stop the killing and end the bloodshed. While he remains optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement, he is also realistic.
Kyiv has also responded to the Kremlin's announcement.
"If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th? If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days - so it is real, not just for a parade. Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire. This is what we are constantly proposing, for at least 30 days," wrote the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andrii Sybiha, on his profile on the X platform.
