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

Zelenskyy dismisses Putin's truce, warns of Russian theatrics, and urges full ceasefire amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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

Russia has so far rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire pushed by Kyiv and Washington, which is trying to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"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," Mr. Zelenskyy said.

Mr. Zelenskyy was speaking on Friday to a small group of journalists including AFP, in remarks embargoed until Saturday.

Mr. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not be "playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin's exit from isolation on 9 May," when some foreign leaders are due in Moscow for Russian World War II commemorations.

Russia's proposal has been seen in Ukraine as an attempt to prevent Kyiv from hitting Moscow on the holiday, during which there is a grand military parade on Red Square and the Russian leader addresses the nation.

Ukraine has hit Moscow several times during the invasion, as well as targets across Russia.