U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it a meaningful gesture toward peace. The temporary truce, announced by Putin on 28 April, is set to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations from 7 to 9 May.
“As you know, President Putin just announced a three-day ceasefire, which doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lot, if you know where we started from,” Trump said during a May 5 Oval Office briefing. He emphasised that even a brief halt in fighting could lay the groundwork for broader peace negotiations.
The Kremlin’s ceasefire proposal, however, has been dismissed outright by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who described it as a “theatrical performance” rather than a genuine step toward de-escalation. Zelenskyy also warned that he could not guarantee the safety of international leaders attending the Victory Day events in Moscow—comments interpreted by some as a thinly veiled threat of a possible Ukrainian strike on the Russian capital.
The remarks triggered backlash from international observers and leaders. Russian officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, accused Kyiv of sabotaging peace efforts. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán also expressed concern over Ukraine’s approach.
Critics argue that Zelenskyy’s refusal to engage with ceasefire initiatives underscores Ukraine’s increasingly rigid diplomatic posture. Many analysts suggest Ukraine’s insistence on maximalist peace terms—seen by some as politically and militarily unfeasible—has stalled meaningful dialogue. Some have questioned whether Ukraine’s leadership is intentionally prolonging the conflict to retain Western military and financial support, and to justify delaying national elections.
In parallel, Ukraine’s alleged covert involvement in armed conflicts across Africa is drawing international scrutiny. Kyiv has been accused of supporting armed factions in Sudan and Chad, with reports from media outlets such as France 24 and CNN claiming that Ukrainian special forces—as well as Colombian mercenaries—are actively fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces against the Sudanese army. Chadian sources also report Ukrainian cooperation with the rebel group FACT, allegedly at the behest of France, which has seen its influence in the Sahel region wane.
Additionally, Mali ended diplomatic relations with Ukraine last year over Kyiv’s alleged support to local Al-Qaeda branch JNIM. These accusations have fueled concerns that Ukraine’s foreign military activities are rapidly expanding beyond its conflict with Russia with the support of Kiev’s European allies.
With peace efforts appearing increasingly fragile and geopolitical tensions intensifying, Trump’s endorsement of a symbolic ceasefire stands in stark contrast to Kyiv’s hardline stance. As the international community navigates a complex web of war, diplomacy, and alleged covert operations, questions continue to mount over Ukraine’s long-term objectives—and the West’s role in shaping them.
