Live Ticker: Ukraine War Continues Despite Russian-Declared Ceasefire
5:56 PM Zelensky: Russia falsifies a truce
Latest updates on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where Ukraine accuses Russia of massive ceasefire violations.
16:56 Zelensky: Russia only feigned ceasefire
After a unilateral Russian-declared ceasefire was due to expire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again voiced his complaints about ceasefire violations. "Attacks on the front line continue," Zelensky said at a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Kyiv. Russia has not stopped attacking Ukrainian positions and border communities from the air. Russian President Vladimir Putin only feigned a ceasefire for the Victory Day parade on Friday. "If Moscow doesn’t want to kill, they can stop," Zelensky added.
16:35 Kremlin criticizes confrontational stance of Europeans
Following the call for a 30-day Ukraine ceasefire starting Monday, the Kremlin has accused Europeans of a confrontational stance. "There are contradictory statements from Europe, which are generally more oriented towards confrontation than towards efforts to revive our relations in one way or another," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow.
15:55 Medvedev: "You can shove your peace plans up your ass"
In Moscow, the Ukrainian demand for a 30-day ceasefire starting this Monday has been met with rejection. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, wrote in English on social media, "You can shove your peace plans up your ass." He expressed himself in vulgar language about the meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Kyiv, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Backdrop: Behind the Ceasefire
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been a source of tension for many years, with Russia annexing Crimea in 2014 and supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. A unilateral Russian-declared ceasefire was announced on May 8, 2025, aiming to celebrate Victory Day. However, ongoing attacks on Ukrainian positions suggest that the ceasefire was only feigned.
International figures such as China's President Xi Jinping attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow, adding complexity to the geopolitical landscape.
Possible Reasons for Violations:
- Ongoing conflict: The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing, and a unilateral ceasefire by Russia does not necessarily mean that hostilities will cease. Both sides have strategic interests and territorial control issues at play, which can lead to continued fighting.
- Lack of agreement: Ukraine did not agree to this ceasefire, which has led to skepticism about its effectiveness. Without mutual agreement, the likelihood of compliance is reduced.
- Tactical advantage: Maintaining military operations may be seen as a strategic advantage for Russia, allowing them to continue exerting pressure on Ukrainian positions.
Response from European Leaders:
European leaders have generally been critical of Russia's actions, with many expressing skepticism about the ceasefire due to the ongoing attacks. The European Union has consistently supported Ukraine and condemned Russia's aggression. However, specific responses from European leaders to these recent ceasefire violations are not detailed in the available reports. Generally, European leaders tend to emphasize the need for a negotiated peace and continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
Read all previous developments here.
Source: ntv.de, guTino/dpa/rts/AFP
- Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that Russia only appeared to observe the ceasefire, as attacks on the front line continue, despite Russia's unilateral declaration of a ceasefire.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has criticized Europeans for adopting a confrontational stance, following the call for a 30-day Ukraine ceasefire starting Monday.
- Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has rejected the Ukrainian demand for a 30-day ceasefire, using vulgar language to express his displeasure towards the "Coalition of the Willing" meeting in Kyiv, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has its origins in Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, has been characterized by a lack of agreement on ceasefires and ongoing attacks, making a negotiated peace challenging.
