Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a surprise three-day ceasefire, scheduled from May 8 to May 10, to coincide with Moscow’s celebrations of the World War II Victory Day, the Kremlin revealed on Monday.
According to the statement, Russia will suspend all combat operations from midnight on May 7-8 until midnight on May 10-11. Moscow urged Ukraine to observe a similar ceasefire and warned that any violations by Kyiv would be met with an “adequate and effective response.”
The Kremlin noted that Putin had previously ordered a ceasefire during the Easter holiday, which, although marred by mutual accusations of violations, did result in a temporary de-escalation of fighting.
This latest ceasefire declaration comes after Putin rejected a U.S. proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, a plan which Ukraine had accepted. Ukrainian and European officials previously criticized the shorter Easter truce as a public relations stunt, accusing Putin of lacking genuine interest in ending the war.
Since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has occupied substantial parts of four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—and claims to have annexed them along with Crimea, which it seized in 2014.
Trump Questions Putin’s Intentions Following Civilian Attacks
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, expressed skepticism about Putin’s commitment to peace. Trump criticized Russia’s recent missile strikes on civilian areas, suggesting Putin may only be prolonging negotiations without intending to stop the conflict.
“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities, and towns over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Russia continued its deadly bombardments in Ukraine over the past month, killing civilians in cities like Kryvyi Rig, Sumy, and Kyiv.
Russia Calls for Recognition of Annexed Territories in Peace Talks
On Monday, Russia reiterated its willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Ukraine but insisted that Kyiv must recognize Moscow’s sovereignty over Crimea and the four other occupied regions as a non-negotiable condition for any settlement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, maintained that Moscow remains open to talks but placed the responsibility on Kyiv. He stressed that international acknowledgment of Russia’s claims to these territories is “imperative” for peace.
Ukraine has firmly rejected any recognition of the annexations, labeling them illegal. President Zelensky reaffirmed last week that Ukraine would not legally accept the loss of its territories, and European leaders have warned that conceding to Moscow’s demands could encourage future acts of aggression.
Battlefield Developments: Kursk Retaken with North Korean Support
Meanwhile, Russia announced a significant battlefield success, claiming full control of its Kursk region after months of fighting, aided by North Korean troops. Putin expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his support in the operation, which reportedly strips Ukraine of a strategic advantage in future negotiations.
Additionally, Russia’s military reported the capture of Kamianka, a village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, signaling ongoing advances despite the ceasefire announcement.
The White House, frustrated by the protracted conflict, has urged both sides to take meaningful steps toward peace, though direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations have not occurred since early 2022.
