Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready for ceasefire starting today, if Russia takes mirror steps

"At the same time, we are ready to move to a ceasefire as soon as possible, even starting today, if Russia is ready to take mirror steps — to a complete silence, to a long-lasting silence for at least 30 days," Zelenskyy said.

The President emphasized that this is a fair period during which the next steps can be prepared.

"Russia must stop the war — halt its assaults and shelling," Zelenskyy stressed.

He added that, as of now, the intensity of Russian strikes indicates nothing but Russia's desire to continue the war. In particular, the enemy continues to launch Shahed drones and aerial bombs, and, at the same time, fighting continues unabated on the frontlines.

"Every night, nearly a hundred Shaheds. Just this week, from Monday to Saturday, over 950 Russian aerial bombs were dropped. Intense battles are ongoing every day in the Pokrovsk direction and other Donetsk directions. We are responding across the entire front, including in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, where our activity continues," Zelenskyy summarized.

Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

At the end of April, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire, starting at midnight on May 8 and lasting until midnight between May 10 and 11. He claimed that all combat operations would cease during this period.

Today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy again spoke about Ukraine's readiness for a ceasefire, but emphasized that Ukraine insists on a 30-day ceasefire according to the strategy proposed by the US. He also explained that it is impossible to agree on anything in such a short period.

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin's three-day ceasefire is supposedly a "test of Kyiv's readiness" for long-term peace.

"The purpose of the Easter ceasefire proposed by Russia, as well as the current initiative to declare a truce for the holidays, May 8, 9, 10, is to test Kyiv's readiness to find ways for long-term and sustainable peace between Russia and Ukraine," Peskov said.

He also added that the Kremlin is "waiting for final statements."