Russia's Leader, Putin, Nixes Plans for a 30-Day Truce
Kremlin Knocks Back Ukraine's Ceasefire Extension Offer
In a Moscow press conference, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov shared that Russia is still mulling over Ukraine's plea to extend the currently-enforced ceasefire by another 30 days. Peskov pointed out a few lingering questions that need to be addressed before making a decision.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had presented his proposal, but the Kremlin is yet to receive satisfactory answers. "We can't seal the deal on an extended ceasefire without ironing out these queries," Peskov stated, reflecting Putin's stance.
Amidst this unfolding geopolitical drama, other international headlines grabbed attention:
- A fire in Iran's port subsided after a span of three days.
- A super-manager turned down millions to shun a ministerial post.
- An Austrian kidnap victim in Niger showed initial signs of life.
Putin had earlier proposed a 30-day ceasefire back in March, a period US President Donald Trump advocated for. However, Putin outlined some conditions when he proposed the initial ceasefire, including a ban on troop reinforcements and Western arms supplies to Kyiv during the truce period. Yet, he didn't set similar restrictions for the Russian military.
In a move to honor the Victory Day parade, Putin declared a three-day ceasefire "for humanitarian reasons" from May 8 to 11. The event is set to welcome foreign dignitaries like Xi Jinping and Robert Fico. Peskov painted this truce as a "kind gesture," but the Ukrainian government perceived it as a subtle tactic to project a pretense of diplomatic readiness. In response, Ukraine proposed a more extended ceasefire term, to which Peskov expressed no immediate response.
Trump's deputy, Katherine Leavitt, stated that Trump desires "a lasting ceasefire to halt the bloodshed" instead of the short-term truce Putin decreed. Leavitt added that Trump is growing increasingly displeased with both Putin and Zelensky due to their inability to strike a sustainable peace deal. The sentiments were echoed during Trump's meeting with Zelensky in Rome last weekend.
- Vladimir Putin, in a move similar to his proposal in March, suggested a 30-day ceasefire on Tuesday, a period advocated by US President Donald Trump.
- Despite Ukraine's proposal to extend the ceasefire for another 30 days, Kremlin spokesperson Vladimir Putin's decision remains uncertain until lingering questions, as pointed out by Dmitri Peskov, are addressed.
- Peskov emphasized that Putin's agreement on a ceasefire extension hinges on the resolution of several queries, mirroring Putin's stance on the matter.
- Despite Putin's recent three-day ceasefire for humanitarian reasons during the Victory Day parade, the Ukrainian government perceives it as a subtle tactic, prompting them to propose a more extended ceasefire term.
