Russia declares three-day ceasefire in Ukraine to celebrate World War II Victory Day
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8-10 to mark the World War II Victory Day, as U.S.President Donald Trump’s administration decides whether a deal to end the more than three-year war is within reach.The Kremlin said that the truce will start at 0000 on May 8 (2100 GMT May 7) and last through the end of May 10, adding that Putin ordered the full cessation of hostilities on “humanitarian grounds” to mark the May 9 holiday celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany.There was no immediate reaction from Ukraine, which has previously agreed to Trump’s proposal of a full 30-day ceasefire.“Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
“In case of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Russian armed forces will give an adequate and efficient response.”Up until now, Putin had refused to accept a complete unconditional ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies to Ukraine and Ukraine’s mobilization effort.The Kremlin reaffirmed that “the Russian side again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions aimed at removing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and constructive cooperation with international partners.”Just before the ceasefire announcement, Ukraine and Russia targeted each other with long-range strikes.The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces downed 119 Ukrainian drones overnight, most of them over Russia’s Bryansk border region.
In Ukraine, air raid sirens rang out across the country Monday morning.There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.The outcome of a push by Trump’s administration to swiftly end the fighting remains unclear, clouded by conflicting claims and doubts about how far each side might be willing to compromise amid deep hostility and mistrust.The clock is ticking on Washington’s engagement in efforts to resolve Europe’s ...