Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a surprise three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10, aligning with Moscow’s World War II Victory Day commemorations, according to the Kremlin on Monday. Moscow expressed expectations that Kyiv would issue a similar order and stated it would respond to any violations of the truce.
This ceasefire follows a similar order for Easter, which both sides accused each other of violating multiple times, although it did lead to a temporary drop in fighting. The Kremlin confirmed that all combat operations would cease from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day.
“Russia believes Ukraine should follow this example,” the Kremlin said, adding that any violations by Ukraine would prompt an “adequate and effective response” from Russian forces.
Putin had previously rejected a U.S. proposal for a 30-day, unconditional ceasefire, which Ukraine had accepted. Kyiv and its European allies dismissed the Easter truce as a public relations move, suggesting that Putin had little interest in peace.
Since the start of Russia’s offensive in February 2022, Russia has captured large parts of four Ukrainian regions and claimed them as its own, along with Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
The announcement of the ceasefire coincides with a critical week for potential peace negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump, after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, questioned whether Putin was serious about peace. “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 said on Truth Social.
Russian missile strikes have killed dozens of civilians over the past month, with attacks targeting cities like Kryvyi Rig, Sumy, and Kyiv.
Earlier, Russia expressed readiness to negotiate directly with Ukraine but insisted that recognition of its claims over five Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, was crucial for resolving the conflict. Ukraine has rejected these claims as illegal, stating it will never recognize the annexations, while European officials warn that accepting Russia’s demands could set a dangerous precedent for future aggression.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow remains open to negotiations but emphasized that Kyiv has not demonstrated a willingness to negotiate. He reaffirmed that Russia’s position includes the recognition of its ownership over Crimea and other Ukrainian regions.
Meanwhile, in military developments, Russia claimed control of the Kursk region with the help of North Korean troops, denying Ukraine a significant bargaining chip in future talks. Russian forces also took control of the village of Kamianka in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
The conflict continues to cause immense devastation in eastern Ukraine, with both sides locked in a prolonged and bloody struggle.