Kiev [Ukraine] / Moscow [Russia], May 5: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday accused Moscow of cynicism, saying Russian attacks on Ukraine continue unabated days before a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by the Kremlin.
"The Russians are asking for a ceasefire on May 9 and are themselves firing at Ukraine every day. This is cynicism of the highest order," he wrote on Telegram. He said the Russian military attacked Ukraine with 1,180 drones and 1,360 guided aerial bombs within a week.
Saturday night alone, 165 drones were launched to target Kiev, Kharkiv, Cherkasy and Mykolaiv, Zelensky said, while the Donetsk and Sumy regions have been attacked with heavy aerial bombs since Sunday morning. Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine remains open to a ceasefire, but one that does not only apply to Russian festivities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with the annual Victory Parade on Moscow's Red Square to mark the end of World War II, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9, which falls on Friday.
The ceasefire is scheduled to start at midnight Wednesday-Thursday in Moscow and end at midnight Saturday-Sunday (2100 GMT Wednesday-2100 GMT Saturday).
Moscow rejected a proposal by Kiev to extend the ceasefire to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire.
Despite the war he launched against Ukraine, Putin said he believes in reconciliation with the neighbouring country.
"It seems to me that this is inevitable despite the tragedy we are currently experiencing," Putin said in advance excerpts from a documentary by Russian state television marking the 25th anniversary of his first presidency. "This is a matter of time," Putin said.
The Russian president once again appeared confident of victory. He asserted that Moscow has the military means to bring the war "to its logical conclusion with the result necessary for Russia." The use of nuclear weapons has not been necessary so far and, Putin said, hopefully will not be in the future.
The Kremlin demands not only that Ukraine renounce joining NATO but also claims large areas of the neighbouring state for itself.
Source: Qatar Tribune
