Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Vladimir Putin of “enjoying video games” after the Russian chief proposed a three-day unilateral ceasefire to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day commemorations.
“That is extra of a theatrical efficiency on his half. As a result of in two or three days, it’s not possible to develop a plan for the subsequent steps to finish the warfare,” Zelenskyy informed a small group of journalists on Friday, in remarks embargoed till Saturday.
Russia introduced a 72-hour halt in hostilities starting Might 8, however has to date rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire pushed by Ukraine and the USA, which is attempting to dealer an finish to the three-year warfare.
Zelenskyy stated Ukraine wouldn’t be “enjoying video games to create a nice environment to permit for Putin’s exit from isolation on Might 9” when some international leaders are due in Moscow for Russia’s World Conflict II commemorations.
Zelenskyy dismissed the 72-hour truce supply as “unserious”, including that Kyiv was as an alternative open to a longer-lasting, 30-day ceasefire proposal put ahead by the US.
He stated Ukraine couldn’t assure the protection of any international dignitaries who got here to Moscow for the normal Might 9 victory parade.
“We can’t be answerable for what occurs on the territory of the Russian Federation. They’re answerable for your safety, and subsequently we won’t provide you with any ensures,” he stated in feedback launched by his presidential administration.
In response, Russia accused Zelenskyy of threatening the safety of its World Conflict II commemorations and stated no one may assure that Kyiv would survive to see Might 10 if Ukraine attacked Moscow throughout the celebrations on Might 9.
“He’s threatening the bodily security of veterans who will come to parades and celebrations on the holy day,” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Safety Council, stated on Telegram. “His assertion … is, after all, a direct menace.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that Putin’s supply had been “a check of Ukraine’s readiness for peace. And we’ll, after all, await not ambiguous however definitive statements and, most significantly, actions aimed toward de-escalating the battle over the general public holidays”.
Zelenskyy additionally stated he mentioned air defence methods and sanctions on Russia with US President Donald Trump final week on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral on the Vatican.
Zelenskyy stated he raised the subject of sanctions on Russia with Trump on the impromptu assembly, and that Trump’s response on this query was “very robust”. He didn’t give specifics.
The Ukrainian chief additionally stated a important minerals deal signed with the US on Wednesday was mutually useful, and that it might enable Ukraine to defend future US investments, in addition to its personal territory and other people.
The accord, closely promoted by Trump, will give the US preferential entry to new Ukrainian minerals offers and unleash US funding in Ukraine’s reconstruction. Ukrainian legislator Yaroslav Zheleznyak confirmed parliament would vote on ratifying the settlement on Might 8.
The Ukrainian president additionally confirmed plans are underneath approach to convene a brand new spherical of negotiations with the US, doubtlessly hosted in Ukraine. “It’s a optimistic signal,” he stated, “that such a gathering is underneath dialogue, regardless of current personnel modifications in Washington.”
Nonetheless, some voices inside the Trump administration stay sceptical, with Vice President JD Vance telling Fox Information community on Thursday that the warfare in Ukraine was “not going to finish any time quickly”.
“It’s going to be as much as them to return to an settlement and cease this brutal, brutal battle. It’s not going wherever,” he added.
Whereas diplomatic efforts proceed behind the scenes, the state of affairs on the bottom stays dire.
A Russian drone assault late on Friday hit 12 areas in Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis – injuring at the least 47 folks, based on native authorities. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure had been among the many targets, stated Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Ukraine’s Air Pressure reported intercepting 77 of 183 Russian-launched drones and stated one other 73 might have been electronically jammed. Russia additionally fired two ballistic missiles.
In the meantime, Moscow’s Ministry of Defence claimed it downed 170 Ukrainian drones and intercepted a number of cruise and guided missiles.
4 folks had been injured in a drone assault on Novorossiysk, a Black Sea port in southern Russia, based on Krasnodar regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev.
