Ukraine reacts to Putin’s proposal for a “truce” on Victory Day
28 April 18:43
Ukraine has commented on Moscow’s proposal to organize a “truce” on the occasion of Victory Day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that if Russia really wants peace, it must cease fire immediately.
This was stated by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, [Kommersant].
“Why wait until May 8? If the fire can be stopped now and from any date for 30 days, it means that it is real, and not just for a parade,” the head of Ukrainian diplomacy said.
He emphasized that Ukraine is ready to support a long-lasting, durable and complete ceasefire.
“And this is what we are constantly offering, at least for 30 days,” Sibiga added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president proposed that Russia cease all long-range drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure for at least 30 days, with the possibility of extending this period.
White House reaction to Putin’s proposal
In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a “truce” on Victory Day, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt emphasized that US President Donald Trump wants a complete ceasefire.
“As far as I understand it, Vladimir Putin has proposed a temporary ceasefire today. President [US President Donald Trump – ed.] has made it clear that he wants a complete ceasefire to stop the killing, to stop the bloodshed. He remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached,” Levitt said.
However, she added that Trump is “increasingly frustrated with Ukraine and Russia,” and in order for both countries to get out of the crisis, they must start negotiating.
Putin is imitating a truce to play along with Trump politically and draw attention to May 9
Former Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin said this on Radio NV.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day “truce” to create the illusion of Russia’s control over all processes to end the war against Ukraine, to play politically in favor of Donald Trump and to emphasize the symbolism of May 9, but he will not get any real benefit from this.
“In fact, the situation for Putin looks, I wouldn’t say, favorable, but he is trying to keep the initiative and “sell” his ceasefire. He is also drawing attention to May 9,” the diplomat said.
Klimkin reminded that many political analysts had previously predicted that Putin would try to achieve “some result” on the frontline by May 9. However, according to the diplomat, he was personally skeptical about this, as in Putin’s mentality, he only needs a victory by May 9, and if he cannot declare it, he will “play with another ceasefire, which is what we actually see in reality.”
The former minister noted that Putin wants to show everyone that he has the initiative and control in the situation regarding the end of the war against Ukraine. In addition, politically, Putin is playing in Trump’s favor by giving him the opportunity to talk about a ceasefire. However, according to the diplomat, Washington is well aware of the situation at the front, and “in fact, Putin will not receive anything in return, except for a couple of theses in Trump’s accounts.”
Earlier, on April 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new “truce” in the Russian-Ukrainian war on the days of the Victory Day celebrations. It should start at midnight on May 8 and last until midnight on May 11.
The previous “truce“
On the eve of Easter, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had ordered “a halt to all hostilities” from 18:00 on April 19 to 00:00 on April 21. Zelenskyy responded that Ukraine was ready to join the format of a complete ceasefire and would act in a mirror image of Russia’s actions, i.e. “silence in response to silence, strikes in defense of strikes.”
Nevertheless, on April 20 alone, Ukraine recorded more than 2,000 violations of the ceasefire by the Russians.
