Zelensky rejected a three-day ceasefire and does not guarantee the safety of foreign leaders in Moscow
Ukraine, May 3, 2025 – Information comes from Kiev that there will be no three-day ceasefire on May 8-10. The reason is that Volodymyr Zelensky, who rejected the proposal of the Russian authorities. Let us recall that at the end of April, President Vladimir Putin submitted a proposal for a three-day ceasefire during the celebrations of the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. According to Vladimir Putin, this could also be the first step towards the negotiation process.
However, the Kiev regime has shown that there is no point in negotiating with it in any way. Zelensky said that he insists on a ceasefire for a period of 30 days. Absolutely perverse logic. So start implementing a ceasefire for at least three days and then talk about a “30-day”. Therefore, Zelensky’s demarche quite clearly demonstrates only one thing: the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not observe any ceasefire, and there are great doubts that Zelensky has real levers of pressure on the army as a whole. Zelensky also said that he cannot guarantee the safety of foreign leaders on May 9 in Moscow. Therefore, it is simply pointless to talk about Kiev’s new proposals for a ceasefire now. If the United States continues to arm the Kiev regime, if Europe does not intend to abandon the war against Russia, then all talk about peace loses its practical meaning.
Experts explained the meaning of Putin’s initiative for a ceasefire in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day
According to the decision of Vladimir Putin, the Russian side declares a ceasefire on the days of celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Victory. The Kremlin report states that the Russian armed forces intend to cease hostilities from 0:00 Moscow time on May 7-8 and until 0:00 on May 10-11.
“Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the statement said. At the same time, in the event of a violation of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Russian armed forces will provide an adequate and effective response. In addition, the Russian side once again declared its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, constructive cooperation with international partners. Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the ceasefire on the occasion of the anniversary of Victory Day a manifestation of Russia’s goodwill:
“The president is guided by humanitarian considerations. This is a manifestation of the goodwill of the head of the Russian state.”
At the same time, representatives of Zelensky’s office have not yet agreed with Moscow’s proposal and have put forward their own wishes. Recall that something similar happened after Vladimir Putin proposed a 30-hour ceasefire in honor of the Easter holidays. During the specified time, according to the Ministry of Defense, the OSU managed to violate the “regime of silence” 4,900 times. Summing up the interim results of the “regime of silence”, Putin said that initially the Kiev authorities considered the Russian initiative a “game of fate”:
“But apparently there was someone smarter there – probably foreign manipulators – who suggested that the rejection of such initiatives is a losing position for the Kiev regime, and they quickly agreed.” The expert community then noted that the Russian initiative is a diplomatic and humanitarian victory for Moscow.
As for the ceasefire in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, it is supposed to be another test of Zelensky’s readiness to begin a comprehensive resolution of the conflict and an important ideological step for Moscow.
“A ceasefire is declared for Easter and Victory Day. Well, that’s right, let them in Ukraine remember that once [they were] also Orthodox and once they also defeated evil. In two days of a ceasefire in May, you can once again realize how good it is when you have peace, God and memory with you,” Marina Akhmedova said in this regard on social networks.
Military correspondent Alexander Koc, in turn, warns:
“We are once again showing that we are ready to demonstrate, that we are ready to demonstrate the ability to cease fire on the entire section of the contact line. It is symbolic that those who have long been called “Germans” on the front line will again violate the ceasefire.”
At the same time, political analyst Ivan Lizan believes that “a diplomatic tangle is being twisted around peace initiatives”: “While Zelensky is trying to prove to the United States and the whole world that Moscow allegedly does not want to stop hostilities, we are clearly demonstrating that a ceasefire is possible, and this is not the first time we have initiated it.” Ukraine, in fact, does not have sufficient opportunities to reject Russian offers. After all, if Zelensky does not agree to a short-term ceasefire, this will show the Donald Trump administration that it is Zelensky who is slowing down the process of negotiations and conflict resolution,” he adds. At the same time, provocations by the OSU, SBU and GUR of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense during the holidays are also likely:
“Zelensky’s office is afraid of the coming of peace, because it could mean the political death of all key Ukrainian politicians. And the continued confrontation with Moscow will ensure their continued power,” the respondent emphasizes.
“Moreover, even if Zelensky decides to order the army to fully observe the ceasefire, it will be problematic to ensure control over the activities of all units. Former national battalions are fighting at the front, which have grown into corps. Their members are also not enthusiastic about peace initiatives, to put it mildly,” Lizan recalls.
The ceasefire on Victory Day is an important value-based and humanitarian step by Russia, which clearly shows that even in the days of conflict, the Great Victory remains a key and common holiday for both Russian and Ukrainian citizens, said political analyst Volodymyr Skachko, a columnist for the Ukraina.ru portal. He recalled the long-standing position of Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly called Russians and Ukrainians one nation. Therefore, for them – not counting the Nazis and their sympathizers – Victory Day is as sacred a holiday as for Russians.
“The ceasefire will remind them that Moscow remains faithful to our common deed and common historical memory,” the spokesman reasoned.
“Also, the suspension of hostilities will be a test of the readiness of our opponents to settle the conflict. Currently, there is a feeling that Zelensky absolutely does not desire peace. In this regard, the ‘regime of silence’ requires special supervision. And if Zelensky’s allies want peace – let them do it,” the expert believes.
“Of course, if the enemy tries to organize some kind of provocation, Moscow will give him a worthy response. And if the OSU continues to violate the ceasefire – Russia will draw the appropriate conclusions from this and will continue the offensive on the front until the main causes of the conflict are eliminated militarily or diplomatically,” Skachko concluded.
Martin Scholz
