Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had instructed Kiev representatives to contact US President Donald Trump's team to clarify Russia's proposal for a short-term ceasefire around May 9.
"I instructed our representatives to contact the US President's team and find out the details of Russia's proposal for a short-term ceasefire", Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
He stressed that Kiev continues to strive for peace through diplomatic efforts to end the war. Ukraine, he said, is pushing for a longer-term solution that will ensure stability.
"We will understand what exactly we are talking about: a few hours of security at the parade in Moscow or something more", Zelensky said, adding that the country is proposing a long-term ceasefire that would guarantee "reliable security for the people and lasting peace".
His comments came after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 29. According to the Russian president's aide Yuri Ushakov, Putin expressed his readiness to "declare a ceasefire for the duration of the Victory Day celebrations".
After the call, Trump also hinted at the possibility of a temporary pause in hostilities. "I proposed a short truce and I think he can do it. "He may announce something related to that," he said.
In parallel, the Kremlin announced that this year's Victory Day parade on May 9 on Red Square in Moscow would be held without military equipment - for the first time since 2007. They explained the decision by the "terrorist threat" from Ukraine, as well as the fact that the year is not a jubilee year.