Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine starting next week to mark Victory Day. The move comes as the United States presses both sides to agree to a lasting truce in the conflict.
Moscow said military actions in Ukraine would pause from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11. Russia stated the decision was based on humanitarian reasons and would coincide with Russia’s World War II Victory Day commemorations on May 9.
Ukrainian officials met the announcement with doubt. Kyiv demanded Russia immediately accept a longer ceasefire proposed by the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the ceasefire declaration an attempt at manipulation. He noted Russia has rejected the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has accepted.
Andrii Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for supporting a full ceasefire. Yermak wrote that only a permanent, unconditional, and comprehensive ceasefire is needed to end the war.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the Kremlin's announcement by asking why Russia would wait until May 8 if it truly wanted peace. He said Ukraine is ready to support a lasting ceasefire for at least 30 days.
The announcement follows a previous Russian declared 30-hour truce over Easter. Ukraine accused Russia of violating that ceasefire with attacks along frontlines. Moscow also made similar accusations against Ukraine. The Easter truce showed battlefield fighting continued despite public statements.(Source)
Senior Trump administration officials say coming weeks will determine whether the U.S. continues efforts to broker peace. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week would be important.(Source)
Trump has voiced frustration over the lack of a deal within his first 100 days. He urged Putin to “stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal.” Trump believes the confines of a deal exist.(Source)
Trump met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. Both leaders described their conversation as productive.(Source) Trump suggested Zelenskyy may be willing to cede the Crimean Peninsula as part of a longer-term truce deal. Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. Such a move would mark a change in Ukraine’s stance on giving up land for peace. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko recently conceded his country may have to give up territory for a peace deal.(Source)
Moscow has stated its conditions for peace include international recognition of the Russian affiliation of Crimea and other annexed regions, demilitarization of Ukraine, and lifting sanctions against Russia.
Despite talk of truces and peace deals, fighting continues. Ukrainian officials reported shelling overnight in several regions. Russia said its forces downed 119 Ukrainian drones.(Source)
Ukrainians in Kyiv expressed skepticism about Putin’s proposal. Nazar Lutsenko, a lawyer, said there is no trust in any of Putin’s proposals.
