Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed his diplomatic representatives to contact U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to clarify the details of a Russian proposal for a short-term ceasefire. The Ukrainian leader announced this decision via his official Telegram channel on Thursday, April 30. The move comes amid ongoing discussions regarding potential peace settlements and Moscow’s repeated attempts to manipulate diplomatic efforts.
«I have instructed our representatives to contact the team of the President of the United States to find out the details of the Russian proposal for a short-term silence,» Zelensky wrote. He emphasized that while Ukraine strives for genuine peace and engages in necessary diplomatic work to end the war, it will not accept superficial pauses. «We will find out what exactly this is about: a few hours of security for the parade in Moscow, or something more.»
The proposed truce emerged following a recent phone call between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. According to the Kremlin’s press service, Putin expressed his readiness to declare a temporary ceasefire on May 9 to mark Victory Day, a holiday deeply entrenched in Russian state propaganda. Trump, who has been actively pushing for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire as part of his strategy to end the conflict, reportedly welcomed the initiative.
However, Kyiv remains highly skeptical of Moscow’s intentions. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s core demand is a long-term ceasefire accompanied by reliable security guarantees and lasting peace. «Ukraine is ready to work for this in any worthy and effective format,» he added.
The backdrop to Putin’s proposal is telling. It has been widely reported that Russia plans to hold a significantly scaled-down military parade in Moscow this year. The Kremlin has attempted to justify the absence of heavy military hardware and aviation by citing alleged «terrorist activity» by Ukraine. In reality, the Russian military has been severely depleted. Frequent and precise strikes by Ukrainian defense forces have consistently degraded Russian air defenses, airfields, and drone command centers, exposing the vulnerabilities of the aggressor state. Moscow is struggling to guarantee the safety of its own capital during major public events.
Historically, Russia has used short-term truces—such as recent holiday ceasefires—as smokescreens to regroup its forces, resupply its frontlines, and prepare for renewed assaults. Ukrainian officials have reported hundreds of violations during these supposedly quiet periods.
For Ukraine, the priority remains clear: any diplomatic engagement must lead to substantial and enforceable agreements, not merely a PR stunt for a domestic Russian audience. As the dialogue between Kyiv and Washington continues, the focus will be on whether Trump’s administration can leverage these discussions to secure meaningful concessions from Moscow or if Putin is simply seeking a temporary shield to celebrate his parade without the threat of incoming strikes.