Meloni slams Putin’s May 9 truce proposal as “clearly not enough”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for a three-day ceasefire on May 9, calling it “clearly not enough” and stressing the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Meloni voiced her support for efforts to reach a genuine peace agreement, including the ceasefire initiative led by US President Donald Trump, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign press.

She also welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent statement expressing openness to an unconditional truce, saying the ball is now in Russia’s court.

“We support Trump’s efforts and are pleased that Zelenskyy has said he is open to an unconditional ceasefire, showing that Ukraine also wants peace. Now it is Russia’s turn to prove the same,” Meloni said.

However, she was dismissive of Putin’s announcement of a limited ceasefire coinciding with Victory Day celebrations on May 9 — a holiday commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory in the Second World War — describing it as insufficient.

“It is clearly not enough,” Meloni said of the proposed three-day truce.

She added that peace must not only be achieved but also sustained through firm security guarantees, referencing a longstanding Italian proposal for a new security architecture:

“Peace must be just and lasting. And that means, above all, reliable security guarantees. Italy has long made its proposal: we need a solution inspired by Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, even outside the NATO framework.”

On April 28, Putin announced that Russia would observe a ceasefire from 00:00 on May 8 until 00:00 on May 11. The Kremlin framed the move as a gesture to mark Victory Day, but the proposal has met with scepticism in Kyiv and among Western leaders.

Ukrainian officials responded swiftly. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that if Russia truly wants peace, it should cease fire immediately, rather than wait until May 8.

President Zelenskyy went further, insisting that the truce must last at least 30 days.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Washington’s preference for a broader solution, stating that President Trump remains committed to securing a permanent ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

By Tamilla Hasanova