Zelensky criticized Putin’s unsolved announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire from May 8 to May 10 as “operation”, and instead called for an immediate, one-month ceasefire.
“It is difficult to agree to such a long ceasefire without answering any questions raised by Putin,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
In March, Putin expressed concern that a 30-day ceasefire would allow Ukrainian forces to reorganize and rescue, as proposed by the US.
Putin’s three-day truce covers the holiday of Victory Day on May 9, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany’s Soviet Union in World War II. A massive military parade will be held in Moscow’s Red Square, with several foreign leaders expected to be present.
Zelensky questioned the temporary ceasefire plan, saying, “We value people’s lives, not parades.”
The White House also said Monday that US President Donald Trump supports a permanent ceasefire rather than a “temporary” proposal from Putin.
Peskov accused Zelensky of avoiding a direct response to the 72-hour pause proposed in the battle.
“We have not heard of the Kiev regime’s response. It is unclear whether they are planning to take part in the ceasefire,” Peskov said.
“Nottheless, I hope that the Russian President’s peace initiative will be highly appreciated,” he added. “The first step is to start the negotiation process. Everything else is secondary.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously warned this week that this week will be “critical” for peace negotiations.
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