Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a ceasefire proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as a manipulative tactic aimed at shaping the narrative of the ongoing conflict.
In a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, April 28, Zelensky criticized the proposed three-day truce scheduled from May 8 to 10 to align with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations questioning Moscow’s intentions.
“Now there’s a new attempt at manipulation: for some reason, everyone has to wait until May 8,” Zelensky said. “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately.”
AFRIPOST reported yesterday that Putin announced the temporary ceasefire, portraying it as a goodwill measure.
However, the Ukrainian government swiftly dismissed the gesture, citing both the timing and brevity of the offer as evidence of its insincerity.
Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga echoed the president’s scepticism, demanding a significantly longer pause in hostilities.
“Why wait until May 8th?” Sybiga wrote on X, calling for an immediate halt to Russian aggression and suggesting a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
The international community has also responded with caution.
Officials in Washington noted that the coming week would be crucial in assessing whether Russia’s proposal represents a genuine step toward peace or a tactical move to gain ground politically and militarily.