Putin wants a ceasefire on Victory Day – now Zelenskyy has a counter proposal

All eyes are on May 9 at the moment.

It is the date of the Russian national holiday, Victory Day, where Russia celebrates the Soviet Union’s victory of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Last week, Russian leader Vladimir Putin declared a ceasefire on May 8 and 9 – a move several analysts suggest are more about protecting the parade in Moscow from Ukrainian drones than an actual wish to halt the fighting.

But now, Ukrainian leader Volodomy Zelenskyy has countered Putins proposal.

Shifting the timeline

Ukrainian leadership has decided to implement a halt in hostilities ahead of schedule. President Volodymyr Zelensky declared in a post on X that his forces will observe a pause starting at midnight on May 6.

However, the Ukrainian government noted a lack of formal communication. Zelensky mentioned that Kyiv received “no official appeal” regarding the terms of the Moscow-proposed truce, as documented by Reuters.

Zelenskyy also took a jab at the Russian Ministry of Defence:

“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill.”

He refers to Moscow being basically in a military shutdown ahead of the Victory Day celebrations due to the fear of Ukrainian drone attacks.

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Testing the waters

By initiating the pause early, at 00:00 on the night bridging May 5 and May 6, the administration hopes to see if a true halt in violence is possible. The early start serves as a trial period.

The motivation appears rooted in prioritising people over military milestones. As Zelensky wrote in the statement: “We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary ‘celebration’,” taking a jab at the upcoming festivities.

The Ukrainian leader made it clear that military compliance depends on the opposing side’s actions. Zelensky stated, “We will act reciprocally starting from that moment,” according to Reuters.

Calls for true steps

Beyond immediate operational changes, the message from Kyiv carried a broader demand for resolution. The administration used the opportunity to challenge Moscow’s long-term intentions.

In the firm declaration, Zelensky asserted, “It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill,” linking the pause to political realities.

Historical context paints a sceptical picture. Authorities in Kyiv continuously demand a complete end to the fighting rather than temporary fixes.

Previous attempts at brief truces have faltered. During the recent Easter period, Ukrainian officials logged hundreds of breaches, casting doubt over the durability of this new arrangement.

Sources: The Kyiv Independent, BBC, United24Media, AP, Reuters, statement on X from Volodomyr Zelenskyy

This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation