Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated that Russia has breached a ceasefire that Ukraine initiated at midnight on May 5. During the night, Russian forces reportedly launched attacks involving 108 drones and three missiles.
Sybiha’s comments came in a briefing on the morning of May 6, where he emphasized that Moscow has once again disregarded calls for a cessation of hostilities, which have been supported by various nations and international organizations.
“This indicates that Russia rejects peace, and its false calls for a ceasefire on May 9 have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin cares only about military parades, not human lives,” Sybiha remarked.
He further asserted that such actions necessitate increased international pressure on Russia, including the implementation of new sanctions, further diplomatic isolation, accountability for war crimes, and enhanced support for Ukraine across various sectors.
Context on Putin’s Ceasefire Proposal
On April 28, President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, set to take effect from 00:00 on May 8 to 00:00 on May 11. This announcement has been met with skepticism from Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed confusion regarding the rationale behind Putin’s declaration of a ceasefire during this commemorative period, stating that Ukraine is prepared for a full ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously suggested that Putin might be misleading him and is not genuinely interested in halting the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Georgiy Tykhyy, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, reiterated on April 28 that Ukraine does not comprehend the logic behind the Kremlin leader’s ceasefire announcement, emphasizing Kyiv’s readiness for a comprehensive ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also echoed these sentiments during his evening address on April 28, stating that there is no need to wait until May 8 to establish a ceasefire.
In response to the proposed ceasefire, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that Putin’s offer could serve as a starting point for direct negotiations with Ukraine, albeit without preconditions. However, Lavrov expressed skepticism about the possibility of a more extended ceasefire.
As of May 4, President Zelensky had declared a ceasefire starting from May 5.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of violating a newly established ceasefire, with attacks occurring shortly after its implementation. The situation is further complicated by conflicting ceasefire proposals from both nations amid ongoing tensions.