On Tuesday, the Kremlin rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for a 30-day ceasefire, citing that the “nuances” previously mentioned by President Vladimir Putin have not been addressed.
Zelensky described Putin’s recent unilateral declaration of a 72-hour ceasefire, set for May 8 to May 10, as a form of “manipulation” and instead urged for an immediate ceasefire lasting a month.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “It’s challenging to agree to such an extended ceasefire without addressing the questions raised by Putin.”
Earlier in March, Putin expressed worries that a 30-day ceasefire, as suggested by the United States, would give Ukrainian forces the chance to regroup and rearm, hindering Russian advancements at the front lines.
Putin’s three-day ceasefire coincides with the May 9 Victory Day celebrations, which honor the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. A significant military parade is planned in Moscow’s Red Square, with several international leaders expected to attend.
Zelensky cast doubt on the temporary ceasefire arrangement, asserting, “We prioritize human lives over parades.”
On Monday, the White House also indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump favors a permanent ceasefire instead of Putin’s “temporary” offer.
Peskov accused Zelensky of sidestepping a direct response to the proposed 72-hour halt in hostilities.
“We haven’t heard back from the Kyiv regime, and it remains unclear whether they intend to participate in the ceasefire,” Peskov remarked.
“However, we hope that the Russian president’s peace proposal will be acknowledged,” he added. “The initial step is to commence the negotiation process—everything else follows.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously cautioned that this week is crucial for peace negotiations, with Trump indicating he might withdraw his push for a ceasefire if there is no advancement.
