Sybiha on so-called 'May 9 ceasefire:' Manipulation and PR stunt

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Kyiv has received no official proposals regarding a ceasefire on May 9, while Russia’s statements are another attempt by the Russians to please the Americans.

Answering a question from an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent about the so-called May 9 ceasefire allegedly proposed by Russia, Sybiha said that "this is another manipulation."

"This is another attempt by the Russians to please the Americans. To show ‘some element of constructiveness.’ The president of Ukraine has clearly said that, as of today, the Ukrainian side has received no proposals from them," the minister said while speaking to journalists on Friday.

The foreign minister said Ukraine is committed to peace efforts and has repeatedly declared its readiness for an unconditional ceasefire.

Sybiha said this is what should be focused on: how to end Russia’s aggressive war and achieve a lasting ceasefire.

"And all these manipulative ceasefires, which are then not observed by the very same Russians who initiate them, are an attempt at a crude diplomatic maneuver. And secondly, it is a PR stunt aimed at the domestic audience with these obscurantist parades," Sybiha said.