🇺🇦🇷🇺Ukraine vs Russia

Zelensky Counters Moscow’s Victory Day Truce With Earlier May 6 Ceasefire

“Life over parades,” Kyiv said, urging Moscow to show whether it wants peace or military spectacle.

Kyiv Post

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2026年5月5日

3 min read

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President Volodymyr Zelensky has countered a Russian proposal for a brief “Victory Day” truce by announcing that Ukraine will implement its own unilateral “regime of silence” starting on night of May 5-6.

The move directly challenges the Kremlin, which earlier on Monday declared a two-day ceasefire for May 8–9 to facilitate Moscow’s annual military parade commemorating the Soviet victory in World War II.

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Last week, Zelensky dismissed the Russian proposal as “not serious,” calling it a “theatrical performance” and a “manipulation” aimed at protecting Russia’s Victory Day parade rather than pursuing genuine peace.

‘Human life over anniversaries’

In a statement posted on social media, Zelensky reiterated that saving lives was more important than symbolic events.

“Human life is an incomparably greater value than the ‘celebration’ of any anniversary,” Zelensky said.

“In this regard, we announce a regime of silence starting from 00:00 on the night of May 5 to May 6,” he wrote.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha backed Zelensky’s statement in a post on X, saying peace “cannot wait until ‘parades’ and ‘celebrations.’”

“If Moscow is prepared to end hostilities, it can do so already tomorrow night. Ukraine is ready,” Sybiha wrote. “This is a serious proposal to end the war and turn to diplomacy.”

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He called on Ukraine’s partners, peace-loving states, and international organizations to support the appeal for an end to hostilities, adding: “May 6th will show whether Moscow is serious and what it actually wants – peace or military parades.”

Moscow’s Threats and Fear

The competing ceasefire proposals come as Russia prepares for its May 9 Victory Day parade amid concerns over possible Ukrainian drone strikes.

Despite announcing its own truce, Russia’s Defense Ministry warned of “massive” retaliation if the celebrations are disrupted. Zelensky argued that Moscow’s position shows Russia is afraid and cannot safely hold such events without Ukrainian cooperation.

“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill,” Zelensky concluded.

Ukraine has consistently pushed for longer ceasefires, including proposals for 30-day pauses in fighting, arguing that short-term truces primarily serve tactical or political purposes such as securing Moscow’s holiday parades rather than halting the war in a durable way.

A Victory Day Without Military Power

Victory Day  remains the most politically important holiday in modern Russia and occupies a central role in Putin’s wartime messaging.

Since the full-scale invasion began, the Kremlin has increasingly tied the war in Ukraine to the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II, presenting the conflict as part of a broader historical struggle against “Nazism.”

For the first time since 2008, Russia’s annual Victory Day parade will proceed without heavy military equipment such as tanks, missile launchers, or artillery systems. Officially, the Russian Defense Ministry cited the “current operational situation,” but analysts say the absence reflects both equipment shortages and security fears.