"The truce − which the US president said was agreed by both leaders − comes just in time for Vladimir Putin to hold a military parade in Moscow. Earlier on Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky had issued a warning to European leaders who planned to attend the Victory Day parade this weekend. The Ukrainian president said he found it “strange” that anyone would want to show up at Red Square on Saturday, adding: “We do not recommend it.”"
"Earlier this week, the Ukrainian leader said: “We cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for your security, and therefore, we will not give you any guarantees.” But, according to Trump, his arm had been twisted, and there would be no threat to the parade. Mr Zelensky welcomed the ceasefire and thanked the US, saying the lives of Ukrainian prisoners were more important to him than Red Square celebrations."
"“Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange,” he said. The Kremlin also confirmed the truce. Earlier yesterday, the Ukrainian leader said he expected a visit by Trump's envoys at the “turn of spring and summer”."
"A drone breached Moscow's air defences and detonated on the side of an apartment block four miles from the Kremlin. Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, the king of Malaysia, Thongloun Sisoulith, the president of Laos, and Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus's authoritarian leader, are expected in the Russian capital. Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, a member of the European Union, is expected to meet Putin and lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial just outside the Kremlin walls, but stay away from the parade."
A ceasefire was agreed by both leaders and timed to allow Vladimir Putin to hold a military parade in Moscow. Volodymyr Zelensky warned European leaders against attending Red Square, saying Ukraine could not guarantee their security on Russian territory. Zelensky welcomed the ceasefire and prioritized the exchange of Ukrainian prisoners over parade celebrations, instructing teams to prepare for an exchange. The Kremlin confirmed the truce. Despite the pause, a drone breached Moscow’s air defenses and detonated near an apartment block close to the Kremlin. European leaders are expected in Moscow for meetings and memorial visits, with some staying away from the parade, while Ukraine’s long-range attacks continue to unsettle Russia.
Read at Irish Independent
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