Ukrainian President’s Statement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Kyiv has not received any formal proposals for a ceasefire on May 9. According to him, discussions between the United States and Russia regarding a potential truce have taken place without Ukraine’s involvement. This information was reported by the outlet Glavcom during the president’s conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan.
Ceasefire and Its Implications
Zelenskyy confirmed that he is aware of talks between American and Russian officials about a possible halt to hostilities on the day of the Moscow parade. He emphasized that no one has officially contacted the Ukrainian side or made any formal offers:
“No one has officially contacted us, and nothing has been officially proposed,” the president underscored.
Zelenskyy also shared his views on the idea of a short-term truce, calling it dishonest given the civilian casualties. “Today it’s Merefa, yesterday it was Dnipro—dead, wounded, adults, children. Well, excuse me, after all that, to say, for example, stop missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and communities one day before the parade, stop—and then say: Let’s have a one-day ceasefire—that’s not serious,” Zelenskyy remarked.
He also noted that the morning after May 9, Russian forces would resume their attacks: “Give them a holiday, and the morning after the ninth, they will hit us again.” The president has instructed his team to seek clarification from the Trump camp regarding the details of the Russian ceasefire proposal for May 9.
It should be noted that:
- On May 4, Merefa was struck;
- On May 3, Dnipro was hit, resulting in fatalities and injuries among both adults and children.
This year, for the first time since the full-scale war began, the parade in Moscow will proceed without heavy military equipment. “Our delegation, our strong delegation,” Zelenskyy added, highlighting that the Ukrainian side will remain proactive in addressing the ceasefire issue.
The Ukrainian president’s statement touches on a critical topic: negotiations over a possible ceasefire that, according to him, are happening without Ukraine at the table. This underscores that Kyiv remains an active participant in the peace process despite the absence of formal proposals. Against the backdrop of ongoing strikes on Ukrainian cities and significant civilian casualties, Zelenskyy’s stance on a short-term truce highlights the complexity of Ukraine’s situation and its continued determination to fight for peace and the safety of its citizens.
In light of Zelenskyy's remarks, it is crucial to understand the broader context of ongoing negotiations. Recent discussions between Putin and Trump regarding a potential ceasefire around May 9 may shed light on the complexities of the situation. For further details on these high-level talks, you can read more about the potential ceasefire discussions.