Vladimir Putin called Donald Trump on April 29 and proposed a temporary ceasefire for May 9, Russia's Victory Day holiday. Trump said the idea was actually his. The Kremlin says Ukraine's agreement is not required. Zelensky is asking for something permanent.
A 90-Minute Call, One Day of Peace
The Putin-Trump call lasted more than 90 minutes and covered Ukraine, Iran, and the recent shooting at a Washington gala. According to the Kremlin, Putin proposed a ceasefire timed to coincide with Russia's annual Victory Day military parade, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Trump actively endorsed the proposal, though he later suggested the idea originated with him.
The Kremlin quickly moved to foreclose debate. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine's consent is not a prerequisite: Putin has decided, and the ceasefire will happen. Russia has not specified the exact start or end time of the proposed truce.
Kyiv Is Not Celebrating
Volodymyr Zelensky said he is seeking details of what exactly Russia is proposing. "We will find out exactly what is being discussed," he wrote on Telegram, "whether it's a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow or something more."
Ukraine's answer was to counter-propose something entirely different: a long-term, durable ceasefire. Kyiv is not interested in a symbolic 24-hour halt that leaves Russian forces dug into Ukrainian territory while Moscow holds a military parade. Ukraine wants a stop to the war, not a set piece for Russian state television.
What a "Victory Day" Truce Actually Means
Russia marks May 9 each year with an enormous military parade through Red Square. The holiday is one of the most politically important dates on the Russian calendar, and the Kremlin has used it repeatedly to project strength. A unilateral "ceasefire" framed around that date serves Russian optics far more than it serves Ukrainian civilians being struck by drone attacks.
Russian drones hit Odesa overnight on May 1, injuring at least 20 people and damaging residential buildings and a kindergarten. Ukraine's Air Force shot down 172 of 206 drones launched that night. The attacks did not pause for the ceasefire announcement. They have not paused for anything.
"We will find out exactly what is being discussed, whether it's a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow or something more." — President Zelensky, Telegram, May 1, 2026
The Pattern
This is not Russia's first short-truce proposal. Moscow has repeatedly rejected full, unconditional ceasefires while proposing limited, timed pauses that serve Russian military or diplomatic needs. A ceasefire that Russia can declare unilaterally, define on its own terms, and end when the parade is over is not a ceasefire in any meaningful sense.
Ukraine wants a durable mechanism for monitoring and an agreement that does not let Russia reload and re-attack when the holiday ends. What Putin offered Trump is none of those things.
The Kremlin gets its propaganda image. Trump gets a photo op. Ukraine gets another night of drones.
Sources
- Putin calls Trump, proposes Victory Day truce in Ukraine — Kyiv Independent
- Zelenskyy says he's seeking details of Putin's May 9 ceasefire proposal — NPR
- Kremlin says Ukraine's agreement not needed for Victory Day ceasefire — Meduza
- Ukraine proposes long-term ceasefire after Putin floats 'Victory Day' truce — Kyiv Independent
- Kyiv shuns Moscow's 'Victory Day truce' asking for long-term ceasefire — Euronews
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