Zelenski rejects Putin's proposal and insists on a 30-day truce

The President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelanski called the initiative of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin with a suspension of weapons for three days, from 7 to 9 May, a theatrical staging aimed at creating the impression of Russia's exit from insulation. Zelanski insists on a 30-day truce in accordance with the strategy proposed by the US authorities.

“The unconditional suspension of the weapon is a model proposed by the Americans. We follow it. From one date – preferably before. Yes, let's try for 30 days. Why a 30 -day suspension of weapons? Because it is impossible to agree on anything in three, five, seven days” – said Zelnski on Saturday during a conversation with journalists.

On Monday, the Russian authorities announced that they announced a suspension of weapons in the war against Ukraine from the north from May 7 to 8 to midnight from 10 to 11 May “for humanitarian reasons.” Moscow believes that “the Ukrainian side should follow this example.”

According to Zelanski, Ukraine is not able to guarantee representatives of other security countries during their trip to Moscow on the parade on May 9, because the Russian side can independently take any actions against guests and blame Ukraine.

Zelanski emphasized the importance of monitoring the arms suspension in the event of an appropriate agreement with Russia. The head of the Ukrainian state is convinced that there will be violations of a truce.

“If the decision is made (about the truce) for a month, then there will be no hot war this month, but there will be 100 percent violations, not even 90 percent. However, in the overall understanding of the war and on this scale of hostilities, which is currently, it will not be, of course, and everyone understands that you need to solve the issue of monitoring very quickly. Priority number one is the suspension of the weapon.”

Zelanski mentioned his conversation with US President Donald Trump in the Vatican on April 26 before the funeral of Pope Francis. He assessed that she was “the best of everything that was before.” “I am sure that after our meeting in the Vatican, President Trump began to look at matters a bit differently. We will see. This is his vision, his choice. I think we behaved constructively and decently, which is important” – he added.

The head of the Ukrainian state expressed the hope that the Supreme Council of Ukraine ratifies a mineral resource agreement signed from the USA. “I think that everything that could be done under the contract was done very professionally by the officials and lawyers of both countries. If some parliamentarians do not vote, I think that this will only be a problem of those who do not want to support her,” he said. Voting is expected on May 8.

According to Zelanski, a contract with the USA on joint extraction of raw materials on the territory of Ukraine is beneficial to both sides. He expressed the hope that thanks to her Ukraine would be able to obtain the necessary number of air defense systems.

The president expressed the conviction that the fund created under a contract and the mineral agreement itself gives Ukraine the opportunity to protect future American investments “and the belief that we will build proper economic investments.”

According to Zelanski, European countries will continue to support Ukraine in the war with Russia, even if the US withdraw from the process of peace negotiations.

According to the president, there are two different approaches to security guarantee for Ukraine, but in both of them the main element are large and strong Ukrainian armed forces. “We had meetings and talks about the contingent or coalition – there are two different approaches. But both in the first and second case it is a large Ukrainian army. I mean, we all understand it. A strong army is an army that can defend itself. And for us it is really number one when it comes to security guarantees. We talk openly about it” – said Zełnski.

He added that international forces can be found in Ukraine only after the fighting.

From Kiev Iryna Hirnyk (PAP)

IRA/ AP/