Kremlin announces Ukraine ceasefire for 9 May WWII 'Victory Day'

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine on 8-10 May to mark World War II Victory Day, as US President Donald Trump’s administration decides whether a deal to end the war is within reach.

The Kremlin said that the truce will start at 0000 local time on 8 May and last through to the end of 10 May, adding that Putin ordered the full cessation of hostilities on “humanitarian grounds” to mark the 9 May 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.”

Putin previously announced a unilateral 30-hour Easter ceasefire and Ukraine voiced readiness to reciprocate any genuine truce then, but said Russian attacks continued.

Moscow, in turn, accused Ukraine of failing to halt attacks.

Russia and Ukraine had also earlier pledged to observe a 30-day halt on strikes on energy infrastructure that was brokered by Trump’s administration, but repeatedly accused each other of violations until the measure expired.

Putin has so far refused to accept a complete unconditional ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies to Ukraine and Ukraine’s mobilisation 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 Defence 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 on Monday morning. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Rubio says this week ‘very critical’

The outcome of a push by the Trump 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 biggest conflict since WWII, which has cost tens of thousands of lives.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that this week would be “very critical.”

The US needs to “make a determination about whether this is an endeavour that we want to continue to be involved in,” he said on NBC’s Meet the Press.

American military aid has been crucial for Ukraine’s war effort and further help could be at risk if the Trump administration walks away from attempts to end the war.

Trump said over the weekend he has doubts about Putin’s sincerity in pursuing a deal, as Russian forces have continued to strike civilian areas in Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles while the talks have proceeded.

But on Friday, Trump described a brokered settlement on the war as “close.”

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