Zelensky says won't play Putin's 'games' with short truce

Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a three day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as theatrics but said K...

Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as theatrics but said Kyiv was ready for a full ceasefire.

Moscow said the truce, set to coincide with its World War II commemorations on May 9, was aimed at testing Kyiv's "readiness" for long-term peace and accused Zelensky of making a "direct threat" to events on the holiday.

The Kremlin rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposed by Kyiv and Washington in March, and has since made only slim contributions to US President Donald Trump's efforts to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion.

"This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader was speaking on Friday to a small group of journalists including AFP, in remarks embargoed until Saturday.