Zelenskyy counters Putin's proposed truce halt on May 8th: "We don't need to delay any longer"
In an informal talk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired back at Russian leader Vladimir Putin's idea of a temporary "ceasefire" from May 8 to 10, stating that Ukraine needs a full and immediate halt to hostilities for at least 30 days—not just for a Moscow parade.
In his address, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine never wanted a single second of this war and is prepared to collaborate with all partners to establish peace and guarantee security. He pointed out that Russia frequently rejects such initiatives and manipulates the international community, trying to deceive the United States in particular.
The Ukrainian president disdained the idea of a temporary or convenient ceasefire for Russia, insisting on an immediate, full, and unconditional halt—one that ensures security and could lead to real diplomacy. He stated, "We value human lives, not parades."
Meanwhile, Putin had earlier declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire tied to Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, mirroring a violated 30-hour Easter truce. The Kremlin claimed it showed "goodwill," but negotiations remain stalled with Moscow imposing far-reaching conditions that Kyiv and Washington reject.
In the background of this standoff, Ukrainian defenders on most fronts have not witnessed the so-called "Easter truce" promised by the Russians, according to data from DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts. Almost 3,000 violations were reported during the Easter truce, as Russia uses ceasefires to resupply forces and stage attacks.
Russia dismisses Zelenskyy's 30-day proposal as unacceptable and accuses Kyiv of "manipulation" for not engaging in direct talks. The ongoing conflict continues along the front lines, including Russian attempts to seize remaining Ukrainian positions in border areas like Kursk Oblast.
Zelenskyy dismissed a temporary ceasefire proposed by Putin, instead advocating for an immediate, full, and unconditional halt to the hostilities for at least 30 days. He expressed that Ukraine valued human lives over parades and emphasized that peace could only be achieved through genuine diplomacy. Despite Russia's claims, Ukrainian defenders reported over 3,000 violations during the Easter truce, suggesting a lack of adherence to ceasefires by Russian forces. The ongoing politics and war-and-conflicts in Ukraine remain unresolved, with both Russia and Ukraine engaging in accusations of manipulation and refusing to accept each other's proposals for peace.
