Zelenskyy explains Putin's idea of "Victory Day ceasefire": they want to hold parade without disruption
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the Kremlin is seeking a one- or multi-day ceasefire primarily to protect its annual military parade in Moscow on 9 May, Victory Day in Russia, from possible Ukrainian strikes. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Bloomberg
Quote: "They want the parade to pass calmly for a few hours, and then resume attacks afterward. We don't want any ceasefire to become a tactical deception by the Russian Federation."
Details: Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said he supports ceasefire initiatives that help protect civilians and facilitate prisoner exchanges.
"We always respond positively to genuine ceasefire proposals with Russia, if they exist," he 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.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov 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.
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