President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that Ukraine will not accept a three-day cease-fire proposed by Russia, asserting that such a brief truce would not facilitate negotiations for a lasting peace.
In March, Ukraine had agreed to a 30-day cease-fire proposal from the Trump administration, which was to be followed by discussions on various issues, including the armistice line, security measures for a nuclear power plant occupied by Russian forces, and the potential deployment of a European peacekeeping force.
During a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky characterized the Russian counteroffer of a three-day cease-fire, coinciding with the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, as a “theatrical show.” He suggested that the offer aimed to create a favorable atmosphere for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, particularly to alleviate security concerns for foreign leaders attending the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, which will include Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine remains at war and that Russia's willingness to cease hostilities is a necessary first step toward ending the conflict. He reiterated that Ukraine's proposal for a 30-day truce is still available and could commence before the May 9 holiday if accepted by Russia.
Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukraine has developed a fleet of long-range drones capable of striking Moscow, frequently targeting the Russian capital.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine would not provide safety guarantees for attendees of the Red Square parade on May 9, citing ongoing missile strikes by Russia against Ukraine, even during visits from foreign dignitaries to Kyiv. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, had previously warned that guests at the parade should “bring earplugs.”
In response, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labeled Zelensky’s remarks a “direct threat” to Russia's celebrations. Dmitri A. Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s security council, warned of retaliation for any attacks during the anniversary events, stating that “nobody guarantees Kyiv will see May 10” in the event of provocations.
Zelensky's rejection of the cease-fire offer coincides with improved relations with the Trump administration regarding cease-fire discussions, following a tumultuous meeting in February. He noted that Ukraine had accepted the administration's cease-fire proposal while criticizing Russia for its lack of commitment.
Despite a slowdown in Russian advances on the battlefield and significant casualties, Russia is perceived to retain momentum in the conflict and would lose strategic leverage if fighting were to cease for an extended period.
Last month, President Trump expressed frustration over Russia's delays in negotiations and ongoing bombardments of Ukrainian cities, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. He publicly urged Putin to halt the attacks following a missile strike in Kyiv that killed 12 people.
Zelensky praised a recent meeting with Trump at the Vatican, describing it as his “best conversation” with the American leader. He discussed the potential resumption of U.S. air defense weapon provisions to Ukraine and suggested imposing additional sanctions on Russia.
On Thursday, State Department spokeswoman Tammy K. Bruce indicated that the United States would reduce its role as a mediator in the talks, which have produced limited commitments to reduce airstrikes and a previous one-day cease-fire on Easter Sunday, both sides accusing each other of violations. She stated that future negotiations would depend on Russia and Ukraine presenting concrete proposals for resolving the conflict.
Zelensky remarked that the U.S. might step back after a cease-fire is achieved, suggesting that some countries prefer Ukraine to engage directly with Russia post-agreement. He expressed confidence that European nations would remain involved in the process.