Zelensky rejects Putin's brief truce, demands 30‑day ceasefire
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, called the proposal by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to implement a ceasefire for three days, from 7 May to 9 May, a theatrical performance aimed at creating the impression of Russia emerging from isolation. Zelensky insists on a 30-day truce according to the strategy proposed by US authorities.
- An unconditional ceasefire is the model proposed by the Americans. We are following it. From this or any other date - preferably earlier. Yes, let's try for 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? Because it's impossible to agree on anything in three, five, or seven days - said Zelensky on Saturday during a conversation with journalists.
Zelensky also emphasised the need to monitor any potential ceasefire. He stated that if a decision is made for a month-long ceasefire, there won't essentially 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 understanding of war and with the scale of military actions as they are now, this won't happen, of course. And everyone understands that the issue of 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 war against Ukraine from midnight on 7 May to 8 May until midnight on 10 May to 11 May "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, among other occasions, Victory Day is celebrated in Russia on 9 May, 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 also remains realistic.
Kyiv has also responded to the Kremlin's announcement.
"If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until 8 May? 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.
