Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said a ceasefire should last at least 30 days to give diplomacy a „real chance“. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping will sign a number of documents during his visit to Moscow next week. Listen to the latest episode of The World podcast as you scroll.
Sunday 4 May 2025 21:30, UK
We’ll be back tomorrow with more from the war in Ukraine.
Here is what happened today:
We brought you reports this morning of a Russian drone attack in Kyiv.
At least 11 people were wounded in the attack overnight and among them were two children.
Russia fired a total of 165 exploding drones and decoys overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.
Here are just some of the images that have been coming through from the Ukrainian capital…
Vladimir Putin has said that is always thinking about the succession, and suggested that there could be an contest between several candidates.
Putin served as president from 1999 to 2008, then as prime minister until 2012, and then again as president from 2012 to the present.
He is the longest serving Kremlin chief since Josef Stalin.
„I always think about it,“ Putin said when asked if he thought about the succession in a film by Russia’s state television about Putin’s quarter of a century as Russia’s leader entitled Russia, Kremlin, Putin, 25 years.
„Ultimately, the choice is for the people, for the Russian people.
„I think that there should be a person, or rather several people, so that the people have a choice.“
There is no clear successor to Putin though under the Russian constitution, if the president was unable to fulfil his duties, then the prime minister – currently Mikhail Mishustin – would assume presidential powers.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued more comments in the last few moments on the prospect of a ceasefire.
He has reiterated his stance that a ceasefire should be at least 30 days „to give diplomacy a real chance“.
Here is what he has said…
As we have been reporting, Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
We reported earlier that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been speaking at a joint news conference in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel (see post at 4.42pm).
Now, we have more to bring you on this.
On Vladimir Putin’s three-day ceasefire offer, Zelenskyy said such a measure is pointless and called instead for an unconditional ceasefire over at least 30 days in line with a US proposal launched in March.
The Ukrainian president said that rather than putting tanks on display during Russia’s VE Day parade, Putin should be thinking „about how to actually end his war“.
„Three things are needed. More sanctions against Russia, continued support for Ukraine, and a significant increase in defence cooperation across Europe,“ he said.
„Russia must know that Europeans will defend themselves.“
Meanwhile, Pavel said Russia had yet to show any indication it wanted to proceed with measures to end the war.
„If someone has all the cards in their hand to end the war then it is President Putin, who can do it with a single decision,“ he told reporters.
„But so far the will has not appeared.“
If you’re just joining us this evening, here’s what you need to know:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that a ceasefire with Russia is possible at any moment.
Zelenskyy, speaking at a joint news conference in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel, also said that Ukraine hopes to receive 1.8 million shells in 2025 under a Czech initiative to provide military assistance.
„We believe that without increased pressure, Russia will not take real practical steps to end the war. Today marks the 54th day that Russia has ignored even the American proposal to completely cease fire,“ Zelenskyy said.
„We believe that a ceasefire is possible at any moment, even starting today, and should last at least 30 days to give diplomacy a real chance.“
For context: Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
The 72-hour ceasefire will run when Putin hosts international leaders on Moscow’s Red Square, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Responding to the offer, Zelenskyy said he was ready as long as the ceasefire would be 30 days in length.
You can watch Zelenskyy arriving in Prague in the clip below…
Ukrainian troops have struck an electrical equipment factory in Russia’s Bryansk region close to the border with Ukraine, destroying much of the plant but causing no casualties, the local governor reports.
Governor Alexander Bogomaz, whose region borders both Ukraine and Belarus in the far west of Russia, said on Telegram that the Ukrainian strike had destroyed workshops and administrative buildings at the factory in the village of Suzemka.
Andriy Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, said on Telegram: „According to preliminary information, the Strela factory in Suzemka, Bryansk region, is no longer operational following the strike.“
Ukraine has targeted Russian industrial facilities that it suspects of producing equipment for Moscow’s military campaign since the beginning of the war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting the Czech Republic today to meet its president Petr Pavel.
The Czech government has been a strong backer of Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and has led an initiative to supply Ukraine with large-calibre ammunition that has delivered more than a one million shells.
Under the initiative, the Czechs have used their diplomatic, business and industrial expertise to find large-calibre ammunition around the world and ship it to Ukraine with funding from NATO allies.
Zelenskyy, who is accompanied on the trip by First Lady Olena Zelenska, will also meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Monday, with the Czech ammunition drive among the topics on the agenda.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Russia this month to participate in VE Day celebrations, the Kremlin has said.
In a statement on Telegram, the Kremlin said that Xi will discuss with Vladimir Putin the development of the two countries‘ strategic partnership, as well as signing a number of documents.
„During the talks, the main issues of further development of relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda will be discussed,“ the Kremlin said.
Russia’s celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany will take place from 7-10 May.
Xi’s visit to Russia comes after Putin proposed a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine around the celebration.
Responding to Moscow’s offer of the ceasefire, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready as long as the ceasefire would be 30 days in length, something Putin had already ruled out in the near term.
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