Ceasefire on May 9 benefits only Russia – Zelenskyy's Office reveals Putin’s real goal
Photo: Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The three-day ceasefire proposed by the Kremlin for May 9 will not change the course of the war in Ukraine and will benefit only the Putin regime, wrote the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, in his article for The Guardian.
"On Monday, the Kremlin offered a three-day pause in hostilities against Ukraine in May, to coincide with Moscow’s celebrations of the end of the Second World War. In a context where Ukraine is calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, and the US a permanent one, Russia wants concessions before a lasting pause or permanent peace can even be discussed," Yermak wrote.
In his opinion, Ukraine and its Western allies "must be cautious not to make concessions prematurely under the guise of quick progress".
"The short pause offered would not make a meaningful difference to the war, and accepting it would enable a regime that has repeatedly shown intent to prolong its war of aggression and undermine this chance for a just, fair and lasting peace," Yermak added.
He emphasized that lifting sanctions, especially those limiting its aviation sector, is central to the Kremlin's demands.
According to Yermak, the fact that Russian officials have made the lifting of aviation-related sanctions a diplomatic priority underscores their effectiveness and that they are working.
He noted that Russia is increasingly desperate to rescue its aviation sector. Therefore, relief in this area must be conditioned on major commitments from Moscow regarding "peaceful and prosperous relations" with Ukraine, not just agreements.
"These sanctions represent more than mere inconvenience: they are a direct obstacle to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and a visible reminder of the consequences of its aggression. Rather than unwinding them, we need to build on the success of the current sanctions regime," Yermak emphasized.
He recalled that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s skies have been "crisscrossed by fighter jets and missiles, not civilian aircraft."
"Why should Russians enjoy the freedom of air travel while Ukrainians cannot be safe in their own country?" he added.
Putin wants a ceasefire on May 9
On Monday, April 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary truce in the Ukraine war on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day "for humanitarian reasons."
According to the Kremlin, the so-called truce will last from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11. During this time, the Russian side promises to "stop all hostilities."
Russia calls on the Ukrainian side to follow suit and threatens to retaliate in case of violation of the truce.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the proposal a manipulation. According to him, Putin only wants to ensure silence during his Victory Day parade on May 9.
In addition, US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg emphasized that Putin's idea was absurd.
