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Russian President Putin during a visit to Zhukovsky, Moscow Oblast, Russia, on June 24, 2026.
Opinion

Ceasefire as camouflage — How Russia weaponizes negotiations against Ukraine

by Nicholas Chkhaidze

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

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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

Russian President Putin during a visit to Zhukovsky, Moscow Oblast, Russia, on June 24, 2026.

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'Utterly baffling': Ukrainians outraged, call for protest after Zelensky ousts Fedorov

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