Zelensky denounces the short truces proposed by Putin

INTERNATIONAL-Does the Russian truce proposal between 8 and 10 May have a chance to succeed? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he refused to ” play “ With the short trurs of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, one of which during the commemorations of the Second World War in Moscow, seeing too short deadlines for serious talks.

“It is impossible to agree on something in three, five or seven days. Let’s be honest. It is a theatrical performance on his part. In two or three days, it is impossible to find a plan to establish the next steps to finish the war. It doesn’t seem serious ”said Volodymyr Zelensky, Friday evening in front of journalists, including those of AFP. These statements were under embargo until Saturday.

“No one will help Putin playing this kind of game”he added, without however clearly rejecting this three-day truce proposed by Moscow on the occasion of the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory against Nazi Germany.

Vladimir Putin had already decreed a short ceasefire during the Pascal weekend in April, which had led to a drop in fighting without being fully respected by the two camps. “The objective of the Easter break proposed by Russia, as well as the current initiative to declare a truce during the celebrations of May 8, 9 and 10, is to test the disposition of kyiv to find a way for a long -term lasting peace”said spokesman for the Russian presidency, Dmitri Peskov on Saturday during a briefing.

kyiv asks for his part “A total and unconditional ceasefire” As a prerequisite for any negotiation with Russia, which repeats that it is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, but is however reluctant on a prolonged truce. Because Moscow, whose army currently has the advantage on the front, says it fears that a cease-fire will allow kyiv to regain strength, with the military support of his allies.

Parade in Moscow on May 9, many leaders expected

This year, the leaders of around twenty countries must be held alongside Vladimir Putin on May 9, including Chinese presidents Xi Jinping and Brazilian Luiz Lula Da Silva, thus those of traditional Moscow Allies such as Kazakhstan, Belarus, Cuba and Venezuela.

Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that Kiev is not guaranteed “Security” leaders present. “We don’t know what Russia will do on this date. It could take different measures, such as fires, explosions, and then accuse us ”advanced the Ukrainian president.

Russian diplomacy spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced these remarks, saying that the Ukrainian leader was making a “Direct threat” has “The physical security of the veterans who will come to the parades and celebrations of this sacred day”.

In Ukraine, the announcement by Vladimir Putin of this truce was perceived by observers as a means of preventing Ukrainian strikes that can potentially disturb ceremonies. kyiv regularly hits targets in Russia with his long -range drones, who have also touched Moscow several times, in response to Russian bombings that have been ravaging his territory for more than three years.

Separate discussions between Moscow and kyiv, led by Washington, have been extended for more than two months and are struggling, for the time being, to achieve results to find a way out of the conflict. Volodymyr Zelensky estimated on Friday evening that his meeting with the American president at the Vatican on the sidelines of the funeral of Pope Francis had allowed the latter to see “A little differently” The conflict. Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump first seemed to join the pro-Russian speeches, going so far as to adopt the rhetoric of the Kremlin. But he has since expressed a certain annoyance towards Vladimir Putin, threatening to leave the discussions without advancing notable.

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