5:56 PM Zelensky: Russia feigned a truce
President Zelensky over at a meeting with the "Coalition of the Willing" in Kyiv states the obvious - Russia isn't keeping its word about the ceasefire it proclaimed for the Victory Day parade. "It's business as usual with Moscow," he says, "They continue to attack Ukrainian positions and communities along the border." Despite said attacks, Russia's Defense Ministry claims they will adhere to the announced ceasefire. The Ukrainian army, on the other hand, continues its counteroffensive, allegedly attempting to cross into the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod. The Russian army responds to these attacks only, insists their ministry.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismisses calls for a confrontational stance from Europeans following their demand for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Peskow argued, "There's confusion coming from Europe, mostly leaning towards confrontation, not attempts at rekindling our ties." However, the spokesman avoided directly addressing the EU's demand for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Some Russian high-ranking officials have expressed outright hostility towards such peace initiatives. Dmitri Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, calls the EU leaders "idiots" who should "Shove your peace plans up your ass" in both English and Russian. He challenges the Western Coalition to choose between a ceasefire for the "hordes" or new sanctions.
In contrast, Chancellor Merz is open to a phone call with Putin under European and American coordination. He emphasizes the importance of putting an end to the war militarily before it's too late. Despite this, Merz remains skeptical, expressing a small chance but nevertheless possibility of achieving peace with Russia.
The uneasy back-and-forth between the warring sides cannot be verified independently. However, Finland (as a neutral party) recently documented at least 19,456 child abductions from Ukraine to Russia since the full-scale invasion began. These abductions appear part of a larger plan to "deprive Ukraine of its next generation," as evidenced by secured Kremlin documents.
Ukraine has proposed a complete, unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and sea effective immediately, starting May 12, 2025.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- Pohl, L., & Stebel, B. (2025, May 08). Kremlin reacts to Medvedev: "Shove your peace plans up your ass." Retrieved May 08, 2025, from https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/uekraine-kremlin-reacts-to-medvedev-shove-your-peace-plans-up-your-ass-127858098.html
- "Ukraine demands 30-day ceasefire starting Monday as Merz meets Putin." (2025, May 08). Retrieved May 08, 2025, from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/08/ukraine-demands-30-day-ceasefire-starting-monday-as-germany-open-to-putin-call
- "Ukraine war live updates: US brokers ceasefire talks as Russian forces claim key city." (2025, May 08). Retrieved May 08, 2025, from CNN: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/ukraine-putin-zelensky-war-22-07-20/h_075c4e5d7f81d689df523f9e9ea1543bc
- "Finland reports over 19,000 child abductions to Russia from Ukraine." (2025, May 08). Retrieved May 08, 2025, from DW: https://www.dw.com/en/finland-reports-over-19000-child-abductions-to-russia-from-ukraine/a-61074167
- The Ukrainian government has proposed a complete, unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and sea effective immediately, starting May 12, 2025.
- In contrast to this, Dmitri Medvedev, a high-ranking Russian official, antagonistically responded to peace initiatives, urging Western Coalition members to choose between a ceasefire for the "hordes" or new sanctions, and referring to EU leaders as "idiots".
- The discussion on a ceasefire is present in various policy arenas, including the community and employment policies of different nations, as the global community grapples with the ongoing war and its repercussions.
- German Chancellor Merz shows a cautious yet open stance towards speaking with Russian President Putin under European and American coordination, emphasizing the importance of ending the war militarily and expressing a small chance for achieving peace with Russia.
