KYIV, May 03 (AFP): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed a three-day truce ordered by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as theatrics but said Kyiv was ready for a full ceasefire.
Russia has so far rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire pushed by Kyiv and Washington, which is trying to broker an end to the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"This is more of a theatrical performance on his part. Because in two or three days, it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war," Zelensky said.
Zelensky was speaking on Friday to a small group of journalists including AFP, in remarks embargoed until Saturday.
Zelensky said Ukraine would not be "playing games to create a pleasant atmosphere to allow for Putin's exit from isolation on 9 May," when some foreign leaders are due in Moscow for Russian World War II commemorations.
Russia's proposal has been seen in Ukraine as an attempt to prevent Kyiv from hitting Moscow on the holiday, during which there is a grand military parade on Red Square and the Russian leader addresses the nation.
Ukraine has hit Moscow several times during the invasion, as well as targets across Russia.
Leaders of around 20 countries, including China's Xi Jinping, have accepted invitations to join this year's celebration, according to the Kremlin.
Zelensky said some countries had approached Kyiv, warning they were travelling to Russia and had requested safety.
"Our position is very simple towards all countries that have travelled or are travelling to Russia on May 9 -- we cannot take responsibility for what is happening on the territory of the Russian Federation," he answered.
US okays F-16 training,
parts to Ukraine
President Donald Trump's administration on Friday approved a deal with Ukraine for training and equipment on F-16 jets, whose delivery former president Joe Biden green-lighted following Russia's invasion.
The State Department said it notified Congress that it has given the nod for a $310.5 million sale to Ukraine that will include equipment and services to maintain the aircraft.
"The proposed sale will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring its pilots are effectively trained and by increasing its interoperability with the United States," the State Department said in a statement.
The deal-which Ukraine will pay for-comes after Trump criticized the billions of dollars in military and economic support provided to Kyiv by Biden.
Trump's relationship with Ukraine has gradually improved, with the United States signing an agreement Wednesday for a joint fund on Kyiv's mineral wealth.
