German Defense Minister voices doubts about Russian truce offer in Ukraine war

BERLIN

Acting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday expressed skepticism about the latest unilateral Russian truce offer in the Ukrainian war during the anniversary celebrations (May 8-10) marking the end of World War II.

"The experience of the last few weeks shows that announcements are one thing," Pistorius told private broadcaster RTL/ntv, pointing out that Russian President Vladimir Putin also announced a ceasefire over Easter, which then didn't hold.

"He's announced another one now; let's see if it holds, especially with regard to the attacks on infrastructure and the population in the cities," he added.

Putin declared on Monday a unilateral ceasefire for three days next week in Ukraine as Moscow is set to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.

A statement by the Kremlin said that, based on "humanitarian considerations," Putin ordered a cessation of all military actions in Ukraine from on May 8-10, on the days marking the 80th Victory Day.

Meanwhile, Pistorius likened the US proposal for a peace agreement to a capitulation of Ukraine.

"The proposal that's been on the table so far is more like something Ukraine could have had a year ago, by capitulating and essentially ceding everything, not NATO membership, and not adequate security guarantees," he said.

Pistorius added Ukraine had already received security guarantees twice, in 1994 and in the 2015 Minsk Agreement signed by Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine. "And both times it was of no use."

The minister urged continued US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"Because this is about much more than the defensive struggle of a sovereign country in Europe; it's about the security of Europe and thus also about a region that has always been of paramount importance to the Americans at least since World War II, and in my opinion, must and will remain so," he said.