"Ukraine suggested an indefinite ceasefire earlier this week, which was repeatedly violated by Russia. After another round of attacks over night, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: All of this clearly shows that, on the Russian side, there was not even a token attempt to cease fire on the front. As we did over the past 24 hours, Ukraine will respond in kind today as well. We will defend our positions and people's lives."
"Russia, which wanted a shorter artificial ceasefire to protect the parade to which Kyiv never agreed, said it would be responding to any Ukrainian attacks symmetrically. As my colleague Pjotr Sauer noted earlier this week, Victory Day has been central to Vladimir Putin's vision of Russian identity throughout his more than 25 years in power."
"Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has intensified its use of the annual celebration, with Putin deploying the occasion to frame and justify the current war. Let's see how the next few hours shape up as we get closer to the celebration."
Ukraine proposed an indefinite ceasefire earlier in the week, while Russia repeatedly violated it. After overnight attacks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia made no attempt to stop firing and that Ukraine would respond in kind. Ukraine said it would defend positions and protect people’s lives. Russia said it would respond symmetrically to any Ukrainian attacks and wanted a shorter artificial ceasefire to protect the Victory Day parade, which Kyiv never agreed to. Victory Day is central to Vladimir Putin’s vision of Russian identity, and since the full-scale invasion the Kremlin has intensified its use of the annual celebration to frame and justify the war.
#ukraine-russia-ceasefire #victory-day-parade #volodymyr-zelenskyy #vladimir-putin #bulgaria-politics
Read at www.theguardian.com
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