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Zelensky Decries Putin's Cease-Fire as a 'Manipulation'

Ukrainian President dismisses Putin's 72-hour cease-fire declaration, calling it insincere amidst fresh attacks.

By Maria VarenikovaSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Zelensky Decries Putin's Cease-Fire as a 'Manipulation'
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

As tensions escalate, Russian forces have launched a drone attack on Ukraine, killing a child and injuring several, just hours after President Putin announced a temporary cease-fire. Ukrainian President Zelensky criticizes the truce as deceptive, demanding a genuine, unconditional halt to hostilities.

In a troubling development, the sky over Kyiv has become a battleground as Russian forces deployed 100 attack drones across Ukraine. The attacks resulted in the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl and multiple injuries, which unfolded shortly after President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a unilateral three-day cease-fire set to commence on May 8. In response to the ceasefire declaration, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism, reiterating that Ukraine already agreed to a 30-day unconditional cease-fire—urged by the United States—that Russia has ignored. He deemed the latest announcement by the Kremlin as “another attempt at manipulation,” emphasizing that genuine peace must be immediate, full, and unconditional to be credible.Ukraine’s Air Force reported that they successfully intercepted 37 of the attack drones during the overnight raid. Areas affected included the Kyiv region, where falling debris led to injuries and damage, and the Dnipro region, where the deadly drone attack occurred.The Kremlin's cease-fire announcement coincided with comments from President Trump, who voiced concern over Russia's ongoing attacks. Following a recent meeting with Zelensky, Trump questioned Putin's commitment to peace, suggesting that he might just be delaying an actual resolution.As the conflict continues to unfold, the need for a reliable and enduring ceasefire remains at the forefront of international discussions about the future of Ukraine.

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