Ceasefire as camouflage — How Russia weaponizes negotiations against Ukraine
Ahead of its annual spectacle of military ostentation — noticeably scaled down this year— Russia's Defense Ministry issued two statements on May 4, 2026: one declaring a unilateral ceasefire for May 8 and 9 and presenting the announcement as evidence of restraint and humanitarian intent; the other warning that Ukraine risked a "massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv" should it disrupt Victory Day events.
Only from a Western perspective did the two statements appear contradictory. To seas
