Zelensky says Russia never notified Ukraine of ceasefire or invited it to join, calls short-term halt meaningless

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, effective May 8 and 9, 2026, by order of President Vladimir Putin.

“We expect the Ukrainian side to follow suit,” the ministry stated.

Should Ukraine attempt to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations, the Defense Ministry warned, Russian forces will carry out a massive retaliatory missile strike on central Kyiv — one they had previously refrained from launching.

“We are warning the civilian population of Kyiv and the staff of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in a timely manner,” the ministry stated.

Update. Zelensky said Russia had not officially notified Ukraine of the ceasefire or invited it to join, and called a short-term ceasefire meaningless. He added that a ceasefire for one day, while killing Ukrainian people before it, was, to put it mildly, dishonest.

Vladimir Putin first raised the possibility of a Victory Day ceasefire during a phone call with Donald Trump in late April. Ukraine has not agreed to the ceasefire. The Kremlin said Kyiv’s consent was not required — it was Putin’s decision and would be carried out regardless.

Responding to the announcement on April 30, Zelensky said Ukraine wanted a lasting ceasefire, not a few hours of security for a parade in Moscow.

On May 4, Zelensky said the scaled-back format of the Moscow parade — this year it will take place without military hardware — reflected Russian authorities’ fear of Ukrainian drones. Russia could not afford to display military equipment and was afraid drones might fly over Red Square, he said, calling it a sign that Russia was not strong.