Kyiv, Ukraine — On May 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a surprise three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, coinciding with Russia’s World War II Victory Day commemorations. The ceasefire will take effect from midnight on May 7 to midnight on May 10.
The Kremlin expressed hopes that Ukraine would reciprocate, stating that they are prepared to respond to any breaches of the truce. “The Russian side is declaring a ceasefire during the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. All combat operations will be suspended during this period,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
The Kremlin’s expectations come after a similar ceasefire was announced by Putin during Easter, an initiative both sides claimed the other violated hundreds of times. Despite this, it resulted in a temporary reduction in hostilities.
Putin previously rejected a United States proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had accepted. This has raised skepticism among Kyiv and its European allies, who accused Putin of using the Easter ceasefire announcement as a public relations tactic rather than a genuine call for peace.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Russia has taken control of portions of four Ukrainian regions and asserts these areas as its own, along with Crimea, annexed in 2014. The dynamics of the conflict continue to evolve with each declaration from both sides, keeping the region and international observers on high alert.
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