Russia is demanding that Ukraine give a clear and definitive response to President Vladimir Putin's proposal for a three-day ceasefire to coincide with celebrations of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Reuters reported, citing a Kremlin statement. Moscow described Kiev's reaction as "ambiguous and historically wrong," BTA reports.
On Monday, Putin proposed a ceasefire from May 8 to 10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in the war. During the celebrations in Moscow, the Russian president is expected to welcome a number of international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already signaled that he will not agree to a short-term ceasefire. He indicated that he would support a cessation of hostilities only if it lasted at least 30 days - an idea that Putin said required further work and negotiations. Zelensky added that given the active hostilities, Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of foreign guests who would attend the parade in Moscow on May 9.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described Zelensky's remarks as a threat. For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that "no one can guarantee that Kiev will live to see May 10" if Ukraine launched an attack on the Russian capital during the celebrations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called a special briefing in response to the Ukrainian president's words. He stressed that the ceasefire proposal is a “test of Kiev's readiness to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict“.
“We expect categorical statements and actions from the Ukrainian authorities aimed at de-escalation in connection with the official holidays“, Peskov said.
He also accused Kiev of not giving due importance to the victory over Nazism and even belittling it by supporting “neo-Nazi events“ - a claim that Ukraine has repeatedly rejected as propaganda and false.
In conclusion, Peskov described as “blasphemous“ the news that Ukrainian military personnel will take part in the commemorations in Britain dedicated to those who died in World War II.