[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] Russian President Putin recently announced that during the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, a ceasefire will be implemented from May 8 to 11. However, this statement has aroused dissatisfaction from the Ukrainian side. In his speech on April 29, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed that Russia now had to "worry about the danger to the parade."

According to a report by the Russian media "RT" on April 30, Russian officials believe that Zelensky was hinting at an attack on the Victory Day parade to be held in Moscow on May 9. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova criticized Ukraine for planning a "terrorist attack" and attempting to sabotage efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Presidential spokesman Peskov then stated that the parade would proceed as usual.

In his video address on the evening of April 29, Zelensky said that the Ukrainian government was prepared to discuss new sanctions against Russia with the United States, and they were looking for Russia's "weaknesses" to force it toward diplomatic channels. The Ukrainian side insists that the first step in resolving the issue diplomatically is unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire, "Russia must take this action."

He claimed: "Now, they (Russia) have to worry about whether the parade can be held - this is correct. But what they should really worry about is that the war is still ongoing, and they must end the war."

Ukrainian President Zelensky Video screenshot

Russian officials believe that Zelensky's remarks implied that Ukraine would attack Russia's Victory Day parade. Russia will hold a parade in Moscow's Red Square on May 9 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. Russia has invited many foreign dignitaries to attend the parade.

"RT" noticed that Roman Kostenko, secretary of the National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Committee of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, also claimed on April 29 that Ukraine possesses the weapons systems needed to attack Moscow's parade and that implementing such actions "would not be difficult."

Regarding Zelensky's remarks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova responded on social media on April 30: "When the Kiev regime openly plans 'airborne terrorist attacks,' what else can they talk about 'ceasefire'?" She believed that this reflects the Ukrainian government's attempt to sabotage peace efforts.

Russian presidential spokesman Peskov then stated that although Ukraine made "threats," the Victory Day parade would still proceed as normal. "Zelensky made many different statements, but most of them did not succeed. We will hold the parade, and we will proudly watch it."

On April 29, Moscow held a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade Visual China

Putin announced on April 28 that during the 80th anniversary celebration of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, a ceasefire will be implemented from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11 Moscow time. During this period, all military operations will stop. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should take similar measures, and if the Ukrainian side violates the ceasefire agreement, the Russian armed forces will respond promptly and adequately.

However, this statement has aroused dissatisfaction from the Ukrainian side. On April 28, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Serhiyenko posted that if Russia truly wanted peace, it should immediately cease hostilities instead of waiting until May 8. Serhiyenko also stated that Ukraine supports achieving lasting, credible, and complete cessation of hostilities, and Ukraine has always proposed that the ceasefire should last at least 30 days.

Peskov then stated on April 29 that the Russian side expected the ceasefire initiative proposed by Putin to receive responses from Ukraine and Europe. "At present, we have neither heard comments from European governments nor seen any statements from the Ukrainian side."

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Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7499086678515286565/

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