Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel has criticised Russia’s announcement of a three day ceasefire from May 8 to May 10, labelling it nothing more than a propaganda ploy. Speaking alongside Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Luxembourg’s Defence Minister Yuriko Backes, Bettel made it clear that real peace cannot be staged for appearances or timed for military parades.
“Peace is not something you wear like a costume for three days just to look good in Red Square,” Bettel stated. “Ceasefires must not be used to serve a dictator’s agenda. This conflict is too serious to be paused whenever it suits your propaganda calendar.”
The remarks came in response to a journalist’s question about the latest decree from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who ordered the temporary truce to coincide with the Victory Day commemorations on May 9. Bettel questioned the sincerity of such a gesture, suggesting it served Moscow’s image more than the interests of peace.
“This is not a fashion show. This is war. Ukraine is burning. If Russia wants peace, it should stop shelling Ukrainian cities, not announce convenient pauses,” Bettel added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had earlier claimed the ceasefire was an opening for direct negotiations with Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Sybiha stated clearly that while Ukraine remains open to negotiations, it must be a genuine path to lasting peace, not a photo opportunity wrapped around historical theatre.
Sybiha reiterated that peace cannot be bought with silence for three days while missiles fall on the fourth. Ukraine, he said, is open to talks — but only when Russia shows a commitment to ending the invasion, not temporarily pausing it for spectacle.
