Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian chief Vladimir Putin as theatrics however mentioned Kyiv was prepared for a full ceasefire.
Russia has up to now rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire pushed by Kyiv and Washington, which is attempting to dealer an finish to the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war,” Zelensky mentioned.
Zelensky was talking on Friday to a small group of journalists together with AFP, in remarks embargoed till Saturday.
Zelensky mentioned Ukraine wouldn’t be “playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin’s exit from isolation on 9 May,” when some overseas leaders are due in Moscow for Russian World War II commemorations.
Russia’s proposal has been seen in Ukraine as an try to stop Kyiv from hitting Moscow on the vacation, throughout which there’s a grand navy parade on Red Square and the Russian chief addresses the nation.
Ukraine has hit Moscow a number of occasions through the invasion, in addition to targets throughout Russia.
‘Cannot take accountability’
Leaders of round 20 international locations, together with China’s Xi Jinping, have accepted invites to affix this yr’s celebration, in line with the Kremlin.
Zelensky mentioned some international locations had approached Kyiv, warning they have been travelling to Russia and had requested security.
“Our position is very simple towards all countries that have travelled or are travelling to Russia on May 9 — we cannot take responsibility for what is happening on the territory of the Russian Federation,” he answered.
“They are ensuring your safety,” Zelensky mentioned, including Russia “may take various steps on its part, such as arson, explosions, and so on and then blame us.”
Russian officers have promised grand celebrations for the event, throughout which Putin will search to rally assist for his troops preventing in Ukraine.
Russian troops have been making grueling beneficial properties on a number of components of the entrance, and Moscow and Kyiv have stepped up their aerial assaults.
The United States has warned it may abandon efforts to dealer a ceasefire if it doesn’t see progress.
Washington is looking for “a complete, durable ceasefire and an end to the conflict”, moderately than a “three-day moment so you can celebrate something else,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce mentioned this week.
Bruce mentioned it will in the end be as much as US President Donald Trump to resolve whether or not to maneuver forward with diplomatic efforts.
‘See issues otherwise’
Trump has overhauled U.S. coverage in direction of Russia since taking workplace, initiating a rapprochement with the Kremlin.
This culminated in an on-camera conflict between Trump and Zelensky on the White House on February 28, the place each leaders had been set to signal a mineral deal granting U.S. entry to Ukrainian sources in alternate for some safety.
Ukraine has since renegotiated the deal, which might see Washington and Kyiv collectively develop and put money into Ukraine’s crucial mineral sources.
Zelensky on Friday mentioned the deal was helpful to either side and guarded Ukraine’s pursuits — although the accord gives no concrete safety ensures for Kyiv.
This adopted a gathering between Trump and Zelensky on the finish of April earlier than Pope Francis’ funeral on the Vatican, the primary encounter since their public conflict.
“We had the best conversation out of all those that preceded it,” Zelensky mentioned Friday.
“I am confident that after our meeting in the Vatican, President Trump began to look at things a little differently.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com