Ukraine will formally seek clarification from U.S. President Donald Trump`s administration regarding the specific details of a Russian proposal for a brief ceasefire next week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Thursday, according to Reuters.
The diplomatic development follows a conversation on Wednesday between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following their discussion, Trump told reporters that the two leaders had discussed the idea of what he described as "a little bit of a ceasefire."
Providing the Russian perspective, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Thursday that the proposed truce is intended to cover May 9. This date marks the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two. However, Peskov noted that the exact timing and operational parameters of the ceasefire had yet to be fully determined.
May 9 holds immense cultural and political significance as a major public holiday in Russia, traditionally marked by an expansive military parade across Moscow`s Red Square. Since launching his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin has consistently utilized this anniversary to rally domestic support for the ongoing war, frequently portraying Russia`s modern-day military forces as direct successors to the Soviet soldiers who fought against Adolf Hitler.
The proposal has been met with significant skepticism in Kyiv. Zelenskyy publicly questioned the true intent behind the Kremlin`s offer, asking whether it was a genuine attempt at halting hostilities or simply a logistical maneuver. "We will clarify what exactly this is about – a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow, or something more," the Ukrainian leader stated.
Taking to the social media platform X, Zelenskyy reiterated his government`s core demands. "Our proposal is a long-term ceasefire, reliable and guaranteed security for people, and a lasting peace," he wrote, adding that Ukraine remains ready to work toward this goal in any dignified and effective format, Reuters reported.
The skepticism is rooted in recent historical precedent. Last year, Putin unilaterally declared a 72-hour ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe. That truce was not agreed upon with Kyiv, which dismissed the move as a tactical ruse. Following that period, Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of violating their own declared ceasefire hundreds of times.
Despite the friction, Peskov indicated that Putin has already made a definitive decision on the latest ceasefire proposal and intends to proceed with it. The Kremlin spokesman also noted that Moscow still expects some form of official response from the Ukrainian government.
The backdrop of the May 9 anniversary is deeply poignant for both nations. The Soviet Union, which encompassed both modern-day Russia and Ukraine, suffered an estimated 27 million casualties during World War Two—a death toll far exceeding that of any other country involved in the global conflict.
This year`s celebrations in Moscow, however, will look visibly different. According to Reuters, Russia has already announced that the upcoming Red Square parade will be significantly smaller than in previous years, notably lacking the traditional grand display of heavy weaponry. The Kremlin has officially blamed this reduction on what it characterizes as a terrorist threat originating from Ukraine.
The scaled-back parade comes as the military reality on the ground continues to shift. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have notably stepped up their campaign of strikes deep inside Russian territory. Meanwhile, Moscow`s troops have managed to make only incremental tactical progress along the primary battlefronts, reflecting a grinding war of attrition that continues to devastate the region.
