Zelenskyy seeks clarity from Trump team on Putin ceasefire proposal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he has directed his representatives to reach out to US President Donald Trump’s team to seek clarification on a ceasefire proposal put forward by Russia. In a statement on X, Zelenskyy said Kyiv remains committed to peace after four years of war and is actively pursuing diplomatic channels to end the conflict. “We will clarify what exactly this is about—a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow, or something more. Our proposal is a long-term ceasefire, reliable and guaranteed security for people, and a lasting peace,” he wrote. He added that Ukraine is ready to work toward this goal in “any dignified and effective format.”

Putin’s proposal

During a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a ceasefire in Ukraine starting on May 9, the date of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters that “Trump actively supported this initiative, noting that the holiday commemorates our shared victory over Nazism.” Trump separately told reporters at the White House that he “suggested a little bit of a ceasefire” to Putin and that he thinks “he might do that.”