Russian forces launched 100 assault drones throughout Ukraine in a single day, the Ukrainian authorities stated on Tuesday, killing a baby and wounding a number of individuals simply hours after the Kremlin declared a unilateral three-day cease-fire beginning on Could 8.
The announcement on Monday that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had ordered the cease-fire was met swiftly with skepticism by Ukrainian officers.
“There isn’t a cause to attend till Could 8,” President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said in his nightly address, calling the announcement “one other try at manipulation” amid the Trump administration’s push for an finish to the conflict.
Mr. Zelensky famous that Ukraine had already agreed, on the urging of the USA, to an unconditional 30-day cease-fire — however that Russia had not. Nor did Russia comply with halt strikes on civilian targets, he added.
“Russia has persistently rejected all the pieces and continues to govern the world, attempting to deceive the USA,” stated Mr. Zelensky, who has accused Mr. Putin of enjoying for time in cease-fire negotiations to strengthen his hand.
If Russia really needs a cease-fire, Mr. Zelensky added, “it should be quick, full and unconditional — for at the least 30 days to make sure it’s safe and assured.” He additionally stated that “the cease-fire shouldn’t be only for a number of days, solely to return to killing afterward.”
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, dismissed that suggestion on Tuesday by saying that Moscow wouldn’t comply with an extended cease-fire with out hammering out extra particulars.
“Particulars matter for those who’re speaking a few prolonged cease-fire: It might be troublesome to comply with such a prolonged cease-fire with out addressing these points,” Mr. Peskov instructed Russian information businesses.
Apparently in search of to counter the notion that Russia was stonewalling Mr. Trump’s peace efforts, Mr. Peskov additionally reiterated what he stated was Russia’s supply to carry direct talks with Ukraine.
Mr. Peskov stated Russia was ready to speak to Mr. Zelensky’s authorities despite the fact that it considers him an illegitimate president, as elections have been suspended in Ukraine beneath martial regulation.
“Certainly, there are authorized points associated to legitimacy,” Mr. Peskov stated. “However on this case, the curiosity in coming into into peace settlement processes is above all else.”
His feedback got here as Ukraine’s Air Power stated it had shot down 37 of the drones Russian forces launched in a single day. 9 drones have been downed within the Kyiv area, the native authorities stated, the place falling particles prompted accidents and began a fireplace at a resort.
Within the Dnipro area, a drone assault killed a 12-year-old woman. A 6-year-old woman and two adults have been additionally wounded, in line with the native authorities.
The Kremlin’s announcement concerning the non permanent truce got here shortly after President Trump expressed frustration with Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine. After assembly with Mr. Zelensky over the weekend, Mr. Trump stated that he questioned whether or not Mr. Putin really needed peace.
“Perhaps he doesn’t need to cease the conflict, he’s simply tapping me alongside, and needs to be handled otherwise,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post.
Nataliya Vasilyeva and Anton Troianovski contributed reporting.
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