Russian forces will, however, give an “adequate response” to any attacks by Ukraine, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned
Kremlin © Getty Images / Lorenzo Di Cola; NurPhoto
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire proposal is still valid and Moscow’s forces have been given orders to halt military activity, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.
At the same time, he warned that if Ukraine chooses not to honor the truce and attempts to strike Russian military positions, an “adequate response will be given immediately.”
Putin announced the unilateral ceasefire last week, stating that Russian troops would suspend all offensive operations from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11. According to the Kremlin, the three-day pause has been proposed as a humanitarian gesture to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and could serve as a chance for “the start of direct negotiations with Kiev without preconditions.”
Peskov has stated that the truce is also intended to test if Ukraine really wants to settle the conflict and to offer it a chance to demonstrate its commitment to deescalation.
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Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, however, has rejected the offer, dismissing it as a Russian ploy and an “attempt at manipulation.” In a statement following Putin’s announcement, he instead called for an immediate unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which Moscow has claimed is an attempt to buy time for retreating Ukrainian forces.
Zelensky has also claimed that Putin’s ceasefire proposal is intended to ensure calm during Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9, and suggested that Kiev could not guarantee the safety of foreign leaders planning to attend the celebrations. Ukrainian MP Yury Pavlenko has also proposed attacking Moscow’s Red Square during the parade.
Moscow has condemned Zelensky’s remarks. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova interpreted them as a “direct threat” and proof of Kiev’s terrorist nature.