Kremlin says Ukraine's response not needed for Putin's proposed 9 May "ceasefire"

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia does not require Ukraine's response in order to declare a ceasefire by 9 May, adding that the decision would supposedly be taken unilaterally by Vladimir Putin.

Source: TASS and Interfax, Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlets

Quote from Peskov: "In fact, [Ukraine's response to the ceasefire proposed by Putin – ed.] is not required for this. This is a decision of the head of the Russian state, and it will be implemented. But, of course, everyone would expect some kind of reaction from the Kyiv regime [Ukraine – ed.] in the form of appropriate intentions. So far, there has been none."

Details: The Kremlin spokesman clarified that Putin's proposal for a ceasefire currently concerns only 9 May, while "when exactly this decision will come into force and when it will expire" would supposedly be determined by Putin himself. "So far, no specific decisions have been made," Peskov said.

Background:

• On 29 April, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, reported that Putin had held a phone call with Donald Trump, during which Putin said he is willing to declare a ceasefire on 9 May.
• Following the call, Trump revealed details of the conversation. According to the US president, the discussion was "very good". He said he hopes that a solution to the Russo-Ukrainian war will come "relatively quickly". Trump also said he has proposed a "little bit of a ceasefire" to Putin.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed Ukrainian officials to clarify the details of a proposal by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to declare a ceasefire on 9 May and in response has suggested a longer-term halt to the hostilities.

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