On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire in May during the conflict with Ukraine to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union and its allies’ victory in World War Two.
The Kremlin announced that the 72-hour ceasefire will take place for three days surrounding May 9, when Putin will welcome international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, for grand festivities marking the victory over Nazi Germany.
“All military actions are suspended for this period. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” it said in a statement.
“In the event of violations by the Ukrainian side, Russia’s armed forces will give an adequate and effective response.”
Kyiv did not provide an immediate reply to the unilateral truce declaration—Putin’s second in rapid succession—after a 30-hour Easter ceasefire during which both sides accused one another of numerous violations.
Amid growing impatience from the United States, both actions seemed intended by the Kremlin leader to convey to U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia remains interested in peace. Ukraine and its European partners express skepticism about this, while resisting U.S. suggestions they perceive as biased in favor of Russia.
The most recent statement followed Trump’s critique of Putin for a lethal Russian assault on Kyiv last week and expressed worry over the weekend that Putin was “just stringing me along.” Washington has consistently warned that it will cease its peace initiatives if genuine advancements are not made.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who encountered Trump during Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome on Saturday, stated that Kyiv would be prepared to engage in discussions with Moscow once a ceasefire agreement has halted the conflict.
On Monday, Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff to Zelenskiy, stated that the ongoing Russian assaults conflicted with the Kremlin’s claims of desiring peace. “Russia is not ceasing fire at the front and is attacking Ukraine with Shaheds right now,” Yermak wrote on Telegram before the ceasefire announcement, referring to Iranian-made drones widely used by Russian forces.
“All the Russians’ statements about peace without ceasing fire are just plain lies.”
