Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised Russia's limited ceasefire for World War Two commemorations as 'strange and inappropriate,' saying it appears intended to allow brief parades before resuming attacks. He said Kyiv experienced fresh strikes despite proposing its own ceasefire for May 5-6, while Moscow later announced an expanded pause from May 8-10. Zelenskiy praised recent Ukrainian long-range operations, including strikes on a Caspian Sea missile carrier and a Lukoil refinery in Perm, and emphasized pursuing diplomacy alongside military responses.
Zelenskiy Slams Russia’s Commemoration Ceasefire as 'Strange and Inappropriate', Warns of Renewed Attacks
FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives to attend an informal European leaders' summit in Ayia Napa, Cyprus April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou/File Photo
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sharply criticised Russia's announcement of a limited ceasefire for World War Two commemorations, saying it exposed the Kremlin leadership's 'strange and inappropriate' logic.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy accused Moscow of seeking a brief, safe window to hold parades before resuming attacks. He said:
'They want to hold their parade, to go out onto the square safely for an hour once a year, and then continue killing, killing our people and waging war.'
Zelenskiy's remarks were delivered before Russia's defence ministry later announced an expanded pause from midnight on May 8 until May 10 to mark the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War. He added:
'The Russians are already talking about strikes after May 9. Strange and certainly inappropriate of the Russian leadership.'
Speaking as Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov arrived in Miami for talks with U.S. counterparts aimed at advancing a peace accord, Zelenskiy said securing peace in Europe would be the best way to honour those who fought against Nazi Germany. 'Just as 81 years ago, so now America can help peace with a just and strong stance against the aggressor,' he said, urging the American public to view Russia 'precisely in this way – as an aggressor.'
Zelenskiy said Russia ignored a Kyiv-proposed ceasefire that began on the night of May 5-6 and that Ukraine instead 'received only new Russian strikes and new Russian threats.' Moscow did not confirm it would adhere to Kyiv's ceasefire proposal.
The president also expressed satisfaction with recent Ukrainian long-range strikes, citing an attack on a small Russian missile carrier in the Caspian Sea and what he described as a second strike in eight days on a Lukoil-owned refinery in Perm, near the Ural Mountains. Earlier in his address he reported daily Russian attacks across Ukraine using drones, missiles, artillery and ground assaults along the front line.
Zelenskiy concluded by stressing a twin approach: 'In a mirror response to Russian strikes, we will continue our long-range sanctions. And in response to Russia's willingness to move toward diplomacy, we will proceed along the path of diplomacy.'
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