Zelenskyy claims Putin’s truce proposal ‘attempt at manipulation’

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that a three-day truce announced by Vladimir Putin of Russia is an “attempt at manipulation”.

Zelenskyy stated this during his daily address on Monday.

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

Putin, earlier in the day, called for a ceasefire between May 8 and May 10.

These dates coincide with Moscow’s World War II commemorations.

But Kyiv received the announcement with anger and subsequently demanded that Moscow pause hostilities immediately.

Ukraine instead wants 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 United States has warned that this week is “critical” for the peace talks between the two nations.

Zelenskyy claims Putin’s truce proposal ‘attempt at manipulation’