Quick Read
- President Zelensky has formally authorized the European Union to initiate direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin following a strategic agreement at a recent Cyprus summit.
- Ukraine dismissed Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire as a tactical ploy, reporting over 140 Russian strikes despite the Kremlin’s declared pause in hostilities.
- A successful Ukrainian long-range strike hit an oil facility in Yaroslavl, 700km from the border, as Moscow scales back its annual military parade due to equipment shortages.
KYIV (Azat TV) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has granted the European Union formal clearance to initiate direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin, a significant diplomatic pivot that comes even as he dismissed Russia’s unilateral Victory Day ceasefire as a “twisted” tactical maneuver. Speaking as the three-day Russian truce took effect on Friday, Zelensky characterized the pause as a cynical attempt by the Kremlin to secure its annual Red Square parade while maintaining its offensive posture elsewhere. The authorization for EU-led talks, confirmed by European Council President Antonio Costa, marks a critical juncture in the conflict’s trajectory, balancing Kyiv’s continued long-range military strikes with a newly sanctioned diplomatic channel.
Zelensky rejects the “twisted logic” of the Victory Day ceasefire
The unilateral ceasefire, announced by the Kremlin to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, entered effect at midnight on May 8 and is scheduled to last through May 10. However, President Zelensky was quick to condemn the gesture, noting that Russia had ignored Ukraine’s own proposal for a truce earlier in the week. According to Zelensky, Moscow’s logic is “strange and twisted,” seeking a brief window of safety for a one-hour parade in Red Square before resuming its campaign of aggression. “They want to go out onto the square safely for an hour once a year, and then continue killing our people,” Zelensky stated in his evening address.
The skepticism from Kyiv is supported by data from the front lines. Zelensky reported that despite the Russian declaration, the Russian army has continued to strike Ukrainian positions with more than 140 recorded attacks and 850 drone operations, including both attack and reconnaissance UAVs, within a single 24-hour period. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed it was merely responding to Ukrainian violations in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, alleging that Kyiv had utilized artillery and drones against civilian and military targets immediately after the truce began. This cycle of mutual accusations underscores the fragility of any temporary cessation of hostilities in the current climate.
European Union prepares for direct Putin talks with Zelensky’s approval
In a development that may redefine the diplomatic landscape, European Council President Antonio Costa revealed that EU leaders are now actively preparing for direct talks with Vladimir Putin. This move is not a rogue diplomatic effort but one that has received the explicit “go-ahead” from Zelensky himself. Costa told the Financial Times that the Ukrainian president invited the bloc to prepare for a positive contribution to negotiations during a summit held in Cyprus last month. “I’m talking with the EU’s 27 national leaders to see the best way to organize ourselves and to identify what we need effectively to discuss with Russia,” Costa stated, signaling that the “right moment” for such dialogue may be approaching.
This shift comes as European leaders seek a more proactive role in resolving the conflict, which has become the most significant European military engagement since 1945. While Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine cede four regions as a precondition for peace—terms Kyiv maintains are non-starters—the authorization of EU mediation suggests a search for middle ground or at least a formalized channel to test the Kremlin’s sincerity. However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has already signaled a cautious stance, confirming that Berlin will not evacuate its embassy in Kyiv despite Russian warnings of retaliatory strikes on the capital.
Ukraine’s deep-range strikes target Russian oil infrastructure
While diplomacy takes its first tentative steps, the military reality remains one of escalation. Zelensky confirmed on Friday that Ukrainian forces successfully damaged a major oil facility in Yaroslavl, located more than 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Describing the operation as a “manifestation of justice,” the president thanked military intelligence and the armed forces for targeting an installation vital to financing the Russian war effort. This strike is part of a broader strategy of “long-range sanctions” aimed at bringing the economic cost of the war home to the Russian interior.
The reach of Ukrainian drones has caused visible anxiety in Moscow. The Kremlin confirmed that security for Vladimir Putin has been significantly tightened ahead of the May 9 celebrations, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov citing a “terrorist threat” from Ukraine. The traditionally grand Victory Day parade will also be notably scaled back this year. Russian officials, including MP Yevgeny Popov, admitted that the display would lack its usual heavy weaponry, such as tanks and missiles. “Our tanks are busy right now,” Popov told the BBC, explaining that they are needed on the battlefield rather than on Red Square. This admission of resource depletion, coupled with the fact that only a handful of foreign leaders—primarily from Belarus, Malaysia, and Laos—are expected to attend, highlights the increasing isolation and military strain facing the Russian state.
Adding to the long-term pressure on Moscow, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced in Stockholm that a deal for Swedish-made Saab Gripen fighter jets could be finalized within months. While deliveries are estimated to be years away, the move signals Ukraine’s commitment to building a modern, NATO-standard air force. Zelensky has also advised foreign dignitaries against attending the Moscow parade, warning that Russia’s request for a safe window is a tactical ploy rather than a genuine step toward peace.
The authorization for EU-led talks alongside intensified deep-territory strikes suggests that Ukraine is pursuing a dual-track strategy: demonstrating Russia’s domestic vulnerability to force the Kremlin toward a negotiation table where Kyiv now has the explicit backing of a unified European diplomatic front.