Zelenskyy expresses skepticism over Russian assurances of a ceasefire.
PRAGUE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounds skeptical about a coming three-day truce, a move by Russian President Vladimir Putin to coincide with Moscow's Victory Day celebrations.
Zelenskyy, who has been leading his nation through a Russian invasion since February 2022, sees the truce as a possibility for Putin to create a positive atmosphere for the commemorations on May 9 marking the end of World War II in Europe.
At a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague, Zelenskyy expressed his doubts, saying, "We understand their modus operandi, we do not trust them."
This isn't the first time Russia has offered a ceasefire. In March, they rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire suggested by Kyiv and Washington. And today, with an increased number of assaults, Zelenskyy questions Russia's commitment to the upcoming temporary truce.
Pavel, a former NATO general, points out that true supporters of peace would enforce the ceasefire, rather than just talk about it. He hints that Putin has the power to end the war immediately but has yet to demonstrate any genuine intention to do so.
In Prague for a two-day visit, Zelenskyy appreciates the Czech Republic's substantial humanitarian and military support since the invasion started, including the flow of equipment such as tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters. He also commended the European drive to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine, financed largely by NATO allies, which he described as "excellent."
The Czech Republic, an EU and NATO member, has received over half a million war refugees from Ukraine. On Monday, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and the speakers of both parliament chambers are scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy in Prague.
While Putin has declared the truce in the interest of humanitarian considerations, the political tension and mutual distrust between Russia and Ukraine make it challenging to predict with certainty whether the truce will be honored. The past history of ceasefires not holding serves as a reminder of the skepticism surrounding any temporary truce.
- The upcoming three-day truce proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, amidst Moscow's Victory Day celebrations in May 2022, has been met with skepticism by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelenskyy has been wary of Russia's intentions, particularly when it comes to ceasefires.
- In March, Russia rejected a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by Kyiv and Washington, and Zelenskyy questions Russia's commitment to the upcoming temporary truce due to an increase in assaults.
- Czech President Petr Pavel, a former NATO general, shares Zelenskyy's doubts, suggesting that true advocates of peace would enforce truces rather than just talk about them.
- The general news and politics spheres have been largely dominated by the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, with countries like the Czech Republic providing finance, in the form of humanitarian and military support, to Ukraine during this time.
