Putin announced Monday a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, from May 8-11. The proposed truce is supposed to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II, coinciding also with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
Later on Monday, Zelenskyy harshly criticized Putin’s truce announcement as “another attempt at manipulation.” “For some reason everyone is supposed to wait until May 8 before ceasing fire — just to provide Putin with silence for his parade,” Zelenskyy said.
According to Meloni, the meeting between Zelenskyy and United States President Donald Trump, held on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome last Saturday, might have represented a decisive moment for Ukraine.
“I think it was a beautiful moment, and from what I was told by the protagonists it could also have represented a turning point. Perhaps Pope Francis’ last gift to all of us,” Meloni said.
“I think that in that face-to-face there was, I don’t know how to say it … His spirit,” she added.