After Russia unilaterally announced a ceasefire, Ukraine is doing the same. Zelensky: “We will act symmetrically from the specified moment”
After Vladimir Putin announced on Monday a two-day truce from May 8-9 to mark Russia's victory in World War II, Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded with his own proposal for an end to the fighting, which would begin earlier on the night of May 5-6.
The Ukrainian president's reaction after Russia's defense ministry announced a unilateral ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, threatening a “massive missile attack” on Kiev if Ukraine violates it.
Zelenskiy, in a Telegram post after attending the European Political Community summit in Armenia, said Ukraine would respect its own ceasefire starting at midnight on Tuesday, May 5.
He pointed out that Russia has not responded to Kiev's long-standing calls for a lasting ceasefire, adding that Ukraine is acting because “human life is incomparably more valuable than 'celebrating' any anniversary”.
Zelensky: Ukraine will “act symmetrically
“In this regard, we announce a regime of silence (of weapons) starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5 to May 6,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on Telegram.
Zelenskiy did not specify the duration of the truce, but said Ukraine would “act symmetrically from the specified time.”
Zelenskiy had previously rejected Russia's proposed truce, the details of which were unclear at the time, calling it “unserious”.
Russia proclaimed a brief truce last month over Orthodox Easter, but each side has accused the other of violating it.
Putin first spoke about a possible truce to coincide with the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the victory in a phone conversation last week with US President Donald Trump.
Ukraine has shown reluctance to the idea of a short-term truce, instead of measures leading to a prolonged cessation of hostilities.
