“Our proposal to stop the strikes and cease fire for at least 30 days remains in effect,” the president said in his evening address.
“We are not withdrawing this offer, which could provide a chance for diplomacy. But it is Russia that isn’t answering — no answer except new strikes. This clearly shows who is responsible for the war.”
Zelenskyy added that international sanctions against Russia for waging the war will be strengthened with “truly palpable restrictions.” He added that, although international justice often moves slowly, it is inevitable.
On May 3, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready to move as quickly as possible to a 30-day cease-fire if Moscow is prepared to take reciprocal measures. Dismissing Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s offer of a three-day truce, the Ukrainian president stated that Ukraine would only consider a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
On April 28, Putin announced a “truce” in honor of Russia’s VE Day celebrations on May 9 that was scheduled to last three days — from 12:00 a.m. May 8 to 12:00 a.m. May 11. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the move as “the beginning of direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions.”