Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly dismissed a three-day ceasefire offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as a "performance" rather than a serious step toward ending the ongoing war. The truce, set to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, was labelled a strategic ploy by Moscow to gain temporary diplomatic relief.

“This is theatre, not peace,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv on Friday. “You cannot build a road to peace in 72 hours.” His comments were embargoed until Saturday.

The Kremlin had proposed a unilateral 72-hour pause in fighting beginning May 8, but continues to resist calls for a more substantial, unconditional 30-day ceasefire advocated by Ukraine and the United States. The latter is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to mediate a resolution to the three-year conflict.

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine would not play a part in helping Putin “stage-manage” his exit from global isolation. The short truce, he said, was a “distraction” designed to impress international guests arriving in Moscow for Russia’s World War II commemorations, not a genuine attempt at de-escalation.

Kyiv has instead thrown its weight behind a 30-day ceasefire proposal, reportedly backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Zelenskyy, he and Trump discussed the issue during an informal meeting at the Vatican last week during Pope Francis’s funeral. Trump, he said, strongly supported the idea, although no specific details were revealed.

The Ukrainian leader also expressed concern for the safety of foreign dignitaries attending the May 9 parade in Moscow. “Ukraine cannot be responsible for the safety of visitors on Russian soil,” he said. “That responsibility lies entirely with the Russian Federation.”

Moscow reacted swiftly and angrily to Zelenskyy’s remarks. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused the Ukrainian leader of making “direct threats” against veterans and civilians expected to attend Victory Day events. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that the truce offer was intended as a “test of Ukraine’s willingness to engage in peace,” and said Russia was awaiting concrete steps rather than “ambiguous rhetoric.”

On the diplomatic front, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had signed a critical minerals deal with the United States earlier in the week. The agreement, strongly endorsed by Trump, grants the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine’s mineral resources and paves the way for future U.S. investment in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak confirmed that the country’s parliament would vote on ratifying the deal on May 8.

Plans are also in motion to host a new round of U.S.-Ukraine negotiations, possibly in Kyiv, as both sides explore deeper strategic alignment. Zelenskyy said the discussions reflect positive momentum, despite shifts within the U.S. administration. However, skepticism remains within Washington. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the war shows no signs of abating anytime soon. “This conflict will continue until both sides are ready to make hard choices,” he told Fox News.

Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground remains intense. A large-scale Russian drone attack struck 12 sites across Kharkiv on Friday night, injuring at least 47 people. City officials confirmed damage to residential blocks and civilian infrastructure.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting 77 out of 183 Russian-launched drones, while another 73 were neutralized via electronic warfare systems. Russia also launched two ballistic missiles, further escalating tensions.

In response, Moscow’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces downed 170 Ukrainian drones and intercepted a number of incoming cruise and guided missiles.

Elsewhere, four people were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on Novorossiysk, a strategic port city on Russia’s Black Sea coast, according to Krasnodar region officials.



By WafricNews Desk.