High Stakes Ahead of May 9: Ceasefire Announced, but War Rhetoric Escalates

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a ceasefire will take effect starting at midnight on May 6. According to the Ukrainian leader, Kyiv has not received any official proposals outlining conditions for a cessation of hostilities. "We believe that human life is incomparably more valuable than the "celebration" of any anniversary. In this regard, we declare a silence regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 6.” Zelensky added that it remains possible to establish a ceasefire within the remaining time and said that Ukraine will act in a "mirror-like” manner from that moment.