Zelensky calls on Russia to declare immediate ceasefire if it wants peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Vladimir Putin’s declaration of a 72-hour truce in Ukraine as a “manipulation” and called on Russia to declare a full, immediate ceasefire if it was serious about ending the war in his nightly address to Ukrainians on Monday evening.

Even though the Kremlin had “consistently rejected” ceasefire proposals put forward by the US and Ukraine, Putin now wanted to make everyone “wait until May 8 before ceasing fire” so that he could have “silence for his parade”, Zelensky said, referring to the annual celebrations held in Moscow and across Russia for its Victory Day on 9 May.

Earlier on Monday, Putin announced that Russia would stop all hostilities in Ukraine for 72 hours from 8 to 10 May as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, threatening an “adequate and effective response” from Russian forces should Ukraine violate the truce.

Stressing that Ukrainians “value human lives, not parades”, Zelensky said there was “no reason” to delay a ceasefire until 8 May or to limit it to just three days.

“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”, the Ukrainian president continued, adding that such a move would be the “foundation that could lead to real diplomacy”.

Zelensky’s remarks echoed those made by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who on Monday called on Russia to “cease fire immediately … not just for a parade” and emphasised that Ukraine was “ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire”.

Putin previously announced a 30-hour Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine on 19 April, to run from 18:00 that day, Easter Saturday, to 00:00 on 20 April. However, within a matter of hours, both sides had accused each other of violating the agreement.

Zelensky and other top Ukrainian officials have repeatedly reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to adhere to a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US in March, and pointed to Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities since then as proof that Moscow has no intention of ending the war.