Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment
to a truce, stating he does “not believe” Russia will adhere to the pledge and dismissing the
short ceasefire as a tactic to create a “soft atmosphere” ahead of Russia’s celebrations
Kiev — Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed “hope” that nuclear weapons will not be needed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, signaling a desire to avoid escalation despite the war’s persistence.
His comments were aired on Sunday in a documentary marking his 25 years in power, ahead of a three-day ceasefire he declared from May 8 to 10 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Putin stated that, so far, there has been no necessity to deploy nuclear arms in Ukraine and emphasized that Russia has sufficient strength and resources to bring the conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, to a “logical conclusion” favorable to Moscow’s objectives. When asked about Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, he said, “There has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons … and I hope they will not be required.”
The three-day ceasefire announced by Putin is intended as a symbolic gesture to honor Victory Day on May 9, when Russia commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany. The Kremlin expects Ukraine to reciprocate the ceasefire during this period, warning that any violations would be met with an appropriate military response.
Zelenskyy has instead called for a more substantial 30-day ceasefire, a proposal supported by the United States but rejected by Moscow as requiring extensive negotiations. The ongoing conflict has seen numerous ceasefire attempts, all of which have ultimately failed, with accusations of violations from both sides.
Putin’s remarks come amid heightened international concerns about the potential use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war. In November 2024, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear engagement to include responses to conventional attacks supported by nuclear states, raising fears of escalation.
Putin reiterated his hope to avoid nuclear deployment and suggested
that reconciliation between Ukraine and Russia is “inevitable.”
The conflict continues to dominate global attention, with recent agreements between Ukraine and the U.S. to secure access to Ukrainian natural resources in exchange for aid, underscoring the geopolitical stakes involved. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Russia prepares for its Victory Day parade in Moscow, an event Ukraine has warned could be targeted by attacks, further complicating prospects for peace.
#UkraineWar #NuclearWeapons #Ceasefire #Putin #RussiaUkraineConflict
#Zelenskyy #PeaceTalks #WarInUkraine #GlobalSecurity #VictoryDay
Tags: Putin, Ukraine, Russia, nuclear weapons, ceasefire, Victory Day, Zelenskyy,
Russia-Ukraine war, international relations, peace negotiations
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