Zelenskyy snubs short truce, won't play Putin's 'games'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as theatrics but said Kyiv was ready for a full ceasefire.

Moscow said the truce, set to coincide with its World War II commemorations on May 9, was aimed at testing Kyiv's "readiness" for long-term peace and accused Zelenskyy of making a "direct threat" to events on the holiday.

The Kremlin rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by Kyiv and Washington in March, and has since made only slim contributions to US President Donald Trump's efforts to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion.


"This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader was speaking on Friday to a small group of journalists including AFP, in remarks embargoed until Saturday.

WW2 anniversary
Some in Ukraine have criticised the truce as a bid to prevent Kyiv from disrupting the World War II anniversary celebrations, with foreign leaders due in Moscow to watch a grand military parade on Red Square and an address by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not be "playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin's exit from isolation on 9 May".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the ceasefire was aimed at testing "Kyiv's readiness to seek ways to achieve long-term sustainable peace".

Leaders of around 20 countries, including China's Xi Jinping, have accepted invitations to join this year's celebration, according to the Kremlin.

Zelenskyy said some countries had approached Kyiv, warning they were travelling to Russia and had requested safety.

"Our position is very simple towards all countries that have travelled or are travelling to Russia on May 9 - we cannot take responsibility for what is happening on the territory of the Russian Federation," he answered.

"They are ensuring your safety," Zelenskyy said, adding Russia "may take various steps on its part, such as arson, explosions, and so on and then blame us".

Zelenskyy did not say what Ukraine would do during the truce, but Russia jumped on the comments, accusing Kyiv of making a "direct threat" to its May 9 commemorations.

"He is threatening the physical safety of veterans who will come to parades and celebrations on the holy day," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram. "His statement ... is, of course, a direct threat."

Grand celebrations planned
Russian officials have promised grand celebrations for the occasion, during which Putin will seek to rally support for his troops fighting in Ukraine.

Russian troops have been making gruelling gains on several parts of the front, and Moscow and Kyiv have stepped up their aerial attacks.