Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there is no reason to wait for a ceasefire. He was responding to Russian President Vladimir Putin's unilateral declaration of a three-day ceasefire from May 8.



Zelenskyy said in a video message posted on his social media account on Monday: "We value human lives, not parades. That's why we believe -- and the world believes -- that there is no reason to wait until May 8."



May 9 is a major Russian holiday. The Kremlin says the truce will mark the 80th anniversary of the former Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.



Zelenskyy stressed that the ceasefire should not be just for a few days but for at least 30 days. He added that it should be immediate, full and unconditional.



He also said, "We in Ukraine never wanted a single second of this war -- and we have always said that we are ready to work as swiftly as possible with all partners who can help establish peace and guarantee security."



Zelenskyy denounced Russia, which he said has consistently rejected everything and continues to manipulate the world, "trying to deceive the United States."