The Kremlin said Kyiv’s view of the proposal for the three-day cessation next month remained ’very difficult to understand.’
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Ukraine had not responded to offers by Russian President Vladimir Putin to start direct peace negotiations, and that it was unclear whether it would join a three-day cease-fire he announced for next month.
“It was President Putin who repeatedly said that Russia is ready, without any preconditions, to start the negotiations process,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, Russian state news agency TASS reports.
“We have not heard a response from the Kyiv regime so far.”
Peskov added that it was “very difficult to understand” whether Ukraine intended to join the cease-fire.
On Monday, Putin unilaterally declared a three-day ceasefire from May 8–May 10, when Russia plans to hold celebrations and a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, known by Russians as the Great Patriotic War.
The Kremlin, on its Telegram channel, said: “By order of the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Russia side, guided by humanitarian motives, announces a cease-fire for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.”
It said the truce would last from midnight Moscow time on May 8 to midnight on May 11.
“Any military operations will be ceased during this period,” the Kremlin stated.
“Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.
“In the event of any violations of the cease-fire by the Ukrainian side, the armed forces of the Russian Federation will give a proportionate and efficient response.
“The Russian side reiterates its willingness to enter peace talks without preconditions, with a view to eliminating the root causes behind the Ukraine crisis and establishing constructive interaction with international partners.”
Ukraine, in response, questioned why Russia would not assent to its call for an immediate 30-day cease-fire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation on Monday night: “Russia has consistently rejected everything and continues to manipulate the world, trying to deceive the United States.
“Now, yet again, another attempt at manipulation: for some reason, everyone is supposed to wait until May 8 before ceasing fire—just to provide Putin with silence for his parade. We value human lives, not parades.”
He went on to say that Ukraine believed there was “no reason to wait until May 8,” adding “that the ceasefire should not be just for a few days, only to return to killing afterward.”
“It must be immediate, full, and unconditional—for at least 30 days to ensure it is secure and guaranteed,” Zelenskyy said.
By Guy Birchall
