Kim on Putin’s May 9 “truce”: If they can shell, why can’t we?
2 May 2025 18:17
OPINION
Despite all the promises made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on camera about a ceasefire from May 8 to 10 (Victory Day, which is celebrated by Russia and several other countries of the former Soviet Union – ed.), the missile and drone threat to Ukrainians remains. But the other side has no reason to be calm either, said Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, in an interview with [Komersant].
Speaking about his attitude to Putin’s proposal for a truce on May 9, the head of the regional military administration said that he does not pay attention to what the Russian leader says at all, because it is a pure game to achieve his goal.
“And what the President (Volodymyr Zelenskyy – ed.) says is true. No one can be calm on May 9. Because if they are allowed to fire, why can’t we?” Kim said.
He added that over the three years of the war, the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces, including long-range systems, have made significant progress. In addition, there have been recent strikes on the plant that produced “Shahedi (fiber optic production). Therefore, the goals are being achieved, and Russian air defense cannot cope.
“In addition to the technical characteristics that have increased in our country, there is also a quantitative increase. This is being produced on a regular basis and in large quantities. Therefore, I believe that they (the Russians – ed.) are worried for a reason. Because the last, at least five, operations planned by our Armed Forces have been successful. That is, I think that the Russians understand that if we plan something, we will implement it,” summarized the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration.
What is known about the May 9 “truce”
Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘s proposal for a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10, timed to coincide with Victory Day, has caused skepticism and outrage in Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the initiative another attempt at manipulation by the Kremlin aimed at ensuring silence during the parade in Moscow, rather than achieving real peace. In his address, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine values human lives, not symbolic dates, and called for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days. He noted that there was no reason to wait until May 8 to end the fighting, especially given the constant shelling by Russia, including attacks on civilian targets in Cherkasy.
Zelenskyy also reminded that Ukraine had already agreed to the American proposal for a complete ceasefire and suggested that Russia extend the Easter truce for 30 days. However, Russia rejected these initiatives and continues to use temporary ceasefires as a tool to achieve its own goals.
In response to Zelenskyy’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that without resolving “all the nuances” such a long-term ceasefire is impossible, effectively rejecting the initiative.
The Ukrainian side sees Putin’s proposal as an attempt to divert the attention of the international community and avoid real steps toward peace. Zelenskyy emphasized that only a long-lasting and comprehensive ceasefire can become the basis for genuine diplomatic negotiations and an end to the war.
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