Russia says it is awaiting Ukraine’s response to a ceasefire in May and provides direct negotiations

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Ukraine did not respond to many proposals by Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin direct peace talks, and it is unclear whether he will join the three-day ceasefire he announced next month, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

“President Putin repeatedly said that Russia is ready to start the negotiation process without any premise,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “So far, we have not heard the response from the Kiev regime.”

Putin announced a three-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war from May 8 to 10 on Monday, when Russia planned a luxurious celebration to win the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany in World War II.

In response, Ukraine questioned why Moscow disagreed with calling for a ceasefire for at least 30 days and started immediately.

“We value people’s lives, not parades,” said President Vorody MR Zelenskiy.

Peskov said it was “hard to understand” whether Ukraine intends to join the ceasefire.

(Reuters report; writing by Lucy Papachristou; edited by Mark Trevelyan)