Moscow, 29 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected a proposal from Kiev to extend to 30 days a unilateral three-day ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin for early May.

Moscow had seen the offer put forward by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but a number of issues first had to cleared up, Peskov said.

"Without answers to these questions, it is difficult to enter into a long-term ceasefire," he said, adding that this was Putin's position.

Putin listed conditions in March, when US President Donald Trump proposed a 30-day ceasefire. These included a ban on Ukraine using the pause to regroup and rearm its forces and on Western arms supplies to Kiev. He offered no concessions in return.

On Monday, Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire for May 8 to 11 to coincide with the annual Victory Parade on Moscow's Red Square to mark the end of World War II, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9.

Foreign dignitaries attending this year include Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

Peskov described the announcement as a "gesture of goodwill," while Zelensky said Putin's ceasefire declaration was "another attempt at manipulation."

Photo: MIA archive