Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned Russia’s “complete cynicism” in continuing its attacks on Ukraine while simultaneously requesting a brief ceasefire to facilitate its Victory Parade on May 9 in Moscow.

In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy expressed his outrage at the recent wave of missile and drone strikes, stating:

“It is complete cynicism to seek a ceasefire for propaganda events while launching daily assaults. Russia could halt its aggression at any time, which would end the conflict and our counteractions. What we need is peace, and genuine efforts must be made to achieve it. Ukraine will respond appropriately.”

According to Zelenskyy, the latest attacks primarily targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in four fatalities and multiple injuries.

Earlier, Zelenskyy remarked that the suggestion of a ceasefire between May 8 and May 9 to allow Moscow to conduct its Victory Parade, amid concerns of a potential Ukrainian attack, was “not serious.” He proposed initiating a truce at midnight (9 PM GMT) on Tuesday instead.

“It is time for Russian officials to undertake substantive measures to conclude their war, particularly since Russia’s defense ministry believes it cannot proceed with a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s consent,” he added.

There is currently no indication that Russia will agree to the suggested ceasefire.

In other news, I will be monitoring the meeting of EU leaders in Yerevan, Armenia, following recent threats issued by former US President Donald Trump against European allies. Additionally, I will be observing a vote of no confidence in Romania’s Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, which could lead to the downfall of his government later today.

It is Tuesday, May 5, 2026, and this is Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.

In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded to the latest threats from Donald Trump regarding car tariffs. In an unexpected announcement made on a public holiday in much of Europe, Trump stated he would raise tariffs on automobiles and trucks imported from the EU from 15% to 25% starting next week.

Speaking from Yerevan during the EU-Armenia summit, von der Leyen said:

“A deal is a deal, and we have an agreement that emphasizes prosperity, shared regulations, and dependability. We are both in the process of implementing this agreement while adhering to our respective democratic processes.”