Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has not been officially contacted regarding a Russian proposal for a ceasefire on May 9 [1].
The statement underscores the deep divide between the two nations as Russia prepares for its annual World War II victory commemorations. While Moscow may propose a temporary pause in hostilities, Kyiv views the conflict as an existential struggle that precludes the luxury of scheduled breaks.
Zelensky said on the sidelines of the European Political Community meeting in Yerevan, Armenia [1]. He addressed the possibility of a truce aligned with the May 9 [1] date, which marks the traditional Russian celebrations of the end of World War II [2].
"We don't have any holidays," Zelensky said [1].
The president said that Ukraine cannot pause hostilities for a holiday because the country remains engaged in an active conflict [1]. The refusal to acknowledge a holiday period reflects the ongoing intensity of the war, a reality that makes the notion of a celebratory truce untenable for the Ukrainian leadership.
By stating that no official communication has occurred, Zelensky dismissed the notion that a diplomatic agreement for a temporary ceasefire is currently in place. The meeting in Yerevan served as the backdrop for these remarks, highlighting the international diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict while the fighting continues on the ground [1].
“"We don't have any holidays."”
The rejection of a May 9 ceasefire proposal highlights the symbolic and military friction between Kyiv and Moscow. For Russia, the date is a pillar of national identity and military pride; for Ukraine, any pause in fighting—especially one tied to Russian nationalist commemorations—could be viewed as a strategic vulnerability or a political concession.
