Zelensky calls Putin truce proposal ‘attempt at manipulation’

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Zelensky calls Putin truce proposal ‘attempt at manipulation’


The Ukrainian president demands Moscow pause hostilities immediately instead of waiting until May 8

President Volodymyr Zelensky lays flowers at the site of a Russian missile strike on a residential area in Kyiv. (EPA Images pic)

KYIV: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday branded a three-day truce announced by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as an “attempt at manipulation”.

“Now there’s a new attempt at manipulation: for some reason, everyone has to wait until May 8,” Zelensky said in his daily address.

Putin on Monday ordered the ceasefire on May 8-10, which coincides with Moscow’s World War II commemorations, drawing ire from Kyiv, which demanded Moscow pause hostilities immediately.

Ukraine said that it wanted an immediate truce with Russia for “at least 30 days”.

“If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th?” Ukrainian foreign minister Andriy Sybiga wrote on X.

The US has warned that this week would be “critical” for determining whether peace was possible.