Russia-Ukraine War Nearing End? Volodymyr Zelenskyy Makes Big Statement

Ukraine, May 08 : Ukraine on Thursday criticised Russia’s announcement of a temporary ceasefire linked to its World War II Victory Day commemorations, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling Moscow’s approach contradictory and politically motivated.
In his nightly address, Zelenskyy questioned the intention behind the limited truce, saying Russia appeared focused on ensuring security during its annual military parade celebrations while continuing military operations elsewhere. He argued that genuine peace efforts could not be tied to symbolic events while attacks on Ukrainian territory persisted.
The Russian ceasefire officially came into force at midnight Moscow time and was expected to remain active through May 10 as part of ceremonies marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian authorities later expanded the duration of the pause, presenting it as a humanitarian initiative connected to the historic anniversary.
Despite concerns raised earlier in the evening, there were no immediate reports of large-scale Russian strikes once the ceasefire began. However, air raid alerts had sounded in several Ukrainian regions before the deadline, reflecting continued tensions along the frontline.
Zelenskyy’s remarks appeared to have been recorded before Russia formally announced the broader ceasefire timeline. The Ukrainian leader maintained that Moscow had previously ignored Kyiv’s own proposal for a halt in hostilities earlier this week and instead continued missile, drone and artillery attacks.
At the same time, Ukraine intensified diplomatic engagement with the United States. Ukrainian Defence Minister and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov travelled to Miami for discussions with American officials aimed at advancing possible peace arrangements and strengthening international support for Kyiv.
Highlighting the historical significance of Victory Day, Zelenskyy said the best tribute to those who fought against Nazi Germany would be achieving lasting peace in Europe. He also called on the United States and its allies to maintain a firm stance against what he described as Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian president further pointed to recent long range operations carried out by Ukrainian forces, including reported strikes targeting a Russian missile carrier in the Caspian region and an oil refinery near the Ural Mountains. Kyiv has increasingly used long-distance attacks to pressure Russian military infrastructure far from the battlefield.
Ukraine also signalled that its military response would continue if Russian attacks persisted. Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv would combine defensive military measures with ongoing diplomatic efforts, insisting that peace negotiations could only succeed if accompanied by stronger international pressure on Moscow.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains one of the most serious security crises in Europe, with ceasefire proposals and peace initiatives repeatedly struggling to produce lasting results.