The head of the President’s Office, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the ceasefire recently announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signifies Ukraine’s genuine intent to achieve peace, preserve human life, and restore security.
In a message on Telegram, Budanov emphasized that the ceasefire demonstrates Ukraine’s commitment to peace without being tied to ideological dogmas or specific dates. He remarked, “The ceasefire initiated by Ukraine reflects our true desire for peace. It is not linked to any dates for the sake of ideological imposition, but rather for the preservation of human life and the restoration of security. If the ceasefire declared by the president is mutual, we will continue it. This will provide us with a small, yet significant hope for establishing lasting peace.”
Budanov further asserted that this action by Zelenskyy showcases Ukraine’s dedication to peace, adding that the next move lies with Russia.
“Is Moscow prepared to demonstrate that human life holds any value for them? We are closely monitoring every move of the enemy and are ready for any developments,” Budanov stated.
It is noteworthy that the Russian Ministry of Defense announced a ceasefire from May 8 to May 9. They indicated that any violation by Kyiv would result in a massive retaliatory missile strike on the capital.
In contrast, President Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine had received no official proposals regarding a one-day ceasefire, which had been discussed between the United States and Russia.
On April 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a one-and-a-half-hour phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the possibility of Putin announcing a ceasefire for May 9.
During a subsequent briefing, Trump noted that he had suggested a “small ceasefire” to Putin, expressing his belief that the Russian leader could implement it. Trump also mentioned that he thought Putin had been ready to reach an agreement for some time, but that “some individuals complicated the possibility of him making a deal.”
On April 30, Zelenskyy reiterated that he had not received any official or unofficial proposals for a ceasefire on May 9 from either the United States or Russia.
Kyrylo Budanov highlighted Ukraine's commitment to peace through a newly announced ceasefire, urging Russia to reciprocate. The situation remains tense as Ukraine awaits further actions from Moscow amidst conflicting statements regarding ceasefire proposals.