Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s proposal for an immediate and full 30 day ceasefire is currently “impossible,” the Kremlin said, according to Russian state media.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that “without resolving all the nuances, this is impossible” in response to Zelensky’s proposed ceasefire, RIA reported.
Putin has declared a unilateral temporary truce to coincide with Russia’s “Victory Day” celebrations in May, marking 80 years since the end of World War II. Russian forces will cease fire from midnight into May 8 until midnight on May 10, the Kremlin said.
Peskov said Moscow does not know if Kyiv intends to adhere to Putin’s short truce, and the Kremlin had warned before that it would respond if fired on by Ukrainian troops.
He also said starting direct talks with Ukraine is a priority for Russia.
Ukraine has not ruled out direct talks with Russia, but said it can only happen once there is a mutual ceasefire in place.
The White House noted Putin’s declaration, but said President Donald Trump is “increasingly frustrated” by the leaders in Moscow and Kyiv, and wants a permanent ceasefire.
Trump, who is attempting to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, has threatened to walk away from the process unless there is substantial progress very soon.
“The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire first, to stop the killings, stop the bloodshed,” Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said at a press briefing.
“And while he remains optimistic he can strike a deal, he’s also being realistic as well. Both leaders need to come to the table to negotiate their way out of this.”
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, responded to Putin’s Victory Day truce with a repeat of Kyiv’s demand for an immediate ceasefire.
“If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately,” Sybiha posted on X.
“Why wait until May 8th? If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days—so it is real, not just for a parade. Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire. And this is what we are constantly proposing, for at least 30 days.”
This is a breaking news story and more information will be added soon.
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting of the Council of Legislators in Saint Petersburg on April 28, 2025.
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting of the Council of Legislators in Saint Petersburg on April 28, 2025.
MIKHAIL METZEL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images