President Vladimir Putin announced a two-day ceasefire to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. The pause in fighting is set for Friday and Saturday, coinciding with Russia’s Victory Day on May 9. However, the announcement has sparked immediate controversy, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that while Donald Trump and Putin had discussed the deal, Ukraine was left out of the loop.
Zelenskyy, speaking from Armenia, didn’t hide his frustration. “If America and Russia are negotiating, it is important that our side knows what they are talking about,” he said. The Ukrainian leader countered with his own proposed pause but warned that Russia’s talk of peace is often just a cover for more violence.
Victory Day Without the Tanks
Russia’s Victory Day is usually a massive show of military might, featuring parades of tanks and missiles through Red Square. But this year, the mood is much more paranoid. The Russian Defense Ministry admitted there will be no military hardware in this year’s parade due to the threat of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes. Authorities have already started cutting off mobile internet in parts of Moscow to prevent drone guidance or coordination during the commemorations.
Zelenskyy pointed out the irony, noting that Russia only wants a ceasefire because they know they can’t safely hold a parade without “Ukraine’s goodwill.”
A Ceasefire Broken Before it Began?
Zelenskyy called the ceasefire request “utterly cynical” after Russian drones and missiles slammed into Ukrainian energy plants overnight, killing five people. The latest strikes targeted infrastructure across the country, leaving dozens injured. Moscow hasn’t exactly played the role of peacemaker, either. The Russian Defense Ministry issued a chilling warning, telling civilians in Kyiv and foreign diplomats to leave the city “in a timely manner” if the truce is violated.
Both sides have a long list of grievances regarding past pauses. Ukraine claims Russia shelled during the Easter ceasefire last month, while Russia points the finger right back at Kyiv.
The Art of the Deal or a Deal Behind Their Backs?
This whole situation feels incredibly shady. When you have the former and current world leaders talking about a ceasefire in someone else’s backyard without inviting them to the meeting, that isn’t diplomacy, it’s a backroom deal.
Zelenskyy’s frustration is 100% valid. How do you negotiate a pause in a war when one of the main combatants is hearing about it through the grapevine? It makes it look like the U.S. and Russia are trying to decide Ukraine’s fate while they are still in the trenches.
Also, can we talk about the “ceasefire” being paired with a missile strike that kills five people? That isn’t a peace offering, it’s a tactical reset. Putin wants a quiet weekend so he can have his parade without looking weak, but he has no intention of stopping the war. Trump might think he’s brokering a grand deal, but if Ukraine isn’t at the table, it’s just a piece of paper. You can’t claim you’ve brought peace while you’re simultaneously telling diplomats to flee the capital because you might start bombing again by Monday.
Is this ceasefire a real step toward ending the war, or is it just a way for Putin to save face during his favorite holiday?
