April 29, 2025, the Kremlin stated that Ukraine had not responded to repeated offers from Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin direct peace negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia’s readiness to negotiate without preconditions and expressed uncertainty about Ukraine’s stance on the situation. President Putin announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10, coinciding with Russia’s celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized the limited duration, advocating for a 30-day ceasefire starting immediately, and emphasizing the value of human lives over ceremonial events. Peskov remarked that it was difficult to ascertain whether Ukraine planned to observe the proposed ceasefire.​

Source: Reuters