Ukraine calls for genuine 30‑day ceasefire amid Putin's parade pause
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, called the move by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to implement a ceasefire for three days, from May 7 to May 9, a theatrical gesture aimed at creating the illusion of Russia emerging from isolation. Zelensky insists on a 30-day truce, as proposed by the US authorities.
- An unconditional ceasefire is the model suggested by the Americans. We are adhering to it. Starting from this or any other date—preferably sooner. Yes, let's aim for 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? Because it's impossible to agree on anything in three, five, seven days - said Zelensky on Saturday during a conversation with journalists.
Zelensky also emphasized the importance of monitoring any potential ceasefire. He stated that if a decision is made for a month-long ceasefire, there won't necessarily be a hot war that month, but there will definitely be violations, not even 90 percent, but 100 percent. However, he added that in the general context of war and considering the current scale of military actions, this won't happen, of course. And everyone understands that monitoring must be resolved very quickly. Ceasefire is priority number one.
On Monday, the Russian authorities announced that they are declaring a ceasefire in the conflict 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 is worth remembering that Victory Day, a national holiday commemorating the end of World War II, is celebrated in Russia on May 9.
The Kremlin's announcement received a firm response from the White House.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that Putin proposed a temporary ceasefire. President Trump has emphasized his desire for 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. And 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.
