Russia, under Vladimir Putin, announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire for Victory Day, which was met with a proposal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a 30-day unconditional truce. Russia rejected this proposal, demanding concessions from Ukraine regarding rearmament.
Moscow's conditions for a ceasefire include a halt to Ukrainian rearmament while Russia continues its own military buildup. Putin and his spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, have framed Ukrainian proposals as manipulative attempts to undermine Russia's actions.
Previous attempts at ceasefires, including one during Orthodox Easter, have failed due to accusations of violations from both sides.
Direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain unlikely due to the ongoing disagreement on a ceasefire. The situation is characterized by mutual accusations and a lack of trust, with both sides portraying the other as obstructing peace efforts.