Seizing the initiative like the bad guy on the bloc, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
The Kremlin announced unilaterally that the truce will run from midnight May 7-8 to midnight May 10-11.
It did not negotiate or pre-notify Kyiv.
According to the Kremlin’s statement, “The decision was made based on humanitarian considerations.”
President Putin ordered the temporary suspension of all Russian military actions against Ukrainian forces during this period. Ukraine had come under relentless Russian drone bombardment in recent weeks.
The Kremlin further stated, “Moscow expects the Ukrainian side to abide by the ceasefire,” but warned that any violation by Ukrainian forces would trigger “an adequate and effective response.”
This move comes amid persistent tensions that have dominated Eastern Europe since Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine began in February 2022.
With casualties mounting on both sides and millions displaced, various international actors continue pressing for peace, though tangible breakthroughs remain elusive.
A Renewed Call for Peace Talks
The Kremlin’s announcement reiterated Russia’s willingness to negotiate, stating, “The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and for constructive interaction with international partners.”
This is not the first time Moscow has declared a temporary halt to military operations.
During the Easter holiday in April, Putin called for a ceasefire that started at 6 p.m. on April 19 and lasted through April 20. Although Russian officials later reported that Ukrainian forces had violated the Easter truce “several thousand times,” they acknowledged that overall military activity had noticeably decreased during that brief period.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, ceasefire announcements have often been treated with skepticism by observers and international bodies, as past truces have been short-lived and marked by violations on both sides.
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