Ukraine Seeks Clarity on Russia’s May 9 Truce, Proposes Long-Term Ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that he would seek details from the US regarding a ceasefire proposal by Russia, coinciding with the Victory Day anniversary on May 9.
The temporary truce was floated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call with US counterpart Donald Trump a day earlier, where they discussed the conflict in Ukraine and the fragile ceasefire in Iran.
Zelensky, however, suggested he would prefer a long-term ceasefire that brings a permanent end to the war, now in its fifth year.
More Details on Proposal
In a statement on X, Zelensky said that he had directed his team to communicate with the US to seek more clarification on the Russian proposal.
“I have instructed our representatives to contact the team of the President of the United States and clarify the details of Russia’s proposal for a short-term ceasefire,” he said, emphasizing that Kyiv wants peace and is working towards ending the war.
“We will clarify what exactly this is about – a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow, or something more,” the Ukrainian leader added.
The Victory Day is celebrated each year with a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. However, this year the parade will be scaled back and without the usual weaponry display amid fears of Ukrainian retaliatory strikes, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
Long-term Ceasefire
In his statement, Zelensky noted that Ukraine prefers a long-term ceasefire that brings lasting peace and ensures the security of the Ukrainian people.
“Our proposal is a long-term ceasefire, reliable and guaranteed security for people, and a lasting peace. Ukraine is ready to work toward this in any dignified and effective format,” he wrote.
Russian Proposal
During a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, Putin proposed a brief ceasefire on May 9, the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, according to Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov.
The Russian President said he was ready “to declare a ceasefire for the duration of Victory Day celebrations. Trump actively supported this initiative, noting that the holiday marks our shared victory,” Ushakov told reporters after the call.
Trump, for his part, said that he and Putin “had a good talk,” during which the US President suggested “a little bit of a ceasefire” in the war in Ukraine. “And I think he might do that,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Kremlin’s Comment
Commenting on the ceasefire proposal, the Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Thursday that the details of the truce will be announced soon, saying that no decision has been made yet.
“For now, we are proceeding on the assumption that this concerns Victory Day, but the dates when this ceasefire will begin and when it will end will be decided by the supreme commander-in-chief,” Peskov said, according to Russian News Agency TASS.
“This requires, first and foremost, a decision by the president; we will make it public immediately,” he added, noting that Moscow has not received any response from Kyiv.
Last year, Putin declared a 72-ceasefire on the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe in World War II. Russia also suspended all combat operations along the frontline during an Orthodox Easter ceasefire this April.
