Putin’s truce proposal is “manipulation", says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed a three-day ceasefire proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strategic ploy, criticizing Moscow’s offer to pause hostilities only from May 8 to 10.

"Now there's a new attempt at manipulation: for some reason, everyone has to wait until May 8," Zelensky said in his daily address on Monday, referring to the proposed truce that coincides with Russia's World War II commemorations.

We in Ukraine never wanted a single second of this war. Back on March 11, we responded positively to the American proposal for a full ceasefire. We made our own proposal to Russia – bilaterally – to halt strikes at least on civilian targets. We also proposed making the Easter… pic.twitter.com/Tp9EiF0yFp

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 28, 2025

The Kremlin’s announcement sparked immediate backlash from Kyiv, which has called for an unconditional and immediate cessation of fighting. “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8?” Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.

Ukrainian officials have demanded a longer-term truce lasting "at least 30 days" to allow for humanitarian relief and political dialogue, saying the limited offer falls short of genuine peace efforts.

The United States echoed Ukraine’s urgency, warning that the coming days would be “critical” in determining whether a path to peace remained viable.

Tensions remain high as Moscow’s symbolic timing of the ceasefire draws skepticism in Kyiv, which views it as an attempt to score diplomatic points without halting aggression on the ground.