Putin announces 72-hour ceasefire to mark 80 years since WWII victory

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II. According to the Kremlin, all military operations in Ukraine will be paused from midnight on May 7–8 until midnight on May 10–11, citing humanitarian reasons.

Russia called on Ukraine to observe the ceasefire as well but warned that any violations by Ukrainian forces would be met with an "adequate and effective response."

“The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and constructive interaction with international partners,” the statement says.

On April 26, during a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, Putin said, "The complete defeat of the enemy in the Kursk border area creates conditions for further successful actions by our troops in other important sectors of the front, bringing the defeat of the neo-Nazi regime closer."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Russia’s announced ceasefire in a post on X, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities rather than waiting until May 8.

"If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8? The fire can be ceased now — and for any 30-day period — so that it is real, not just for a parade," Sybiha wrote.

He added that Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire, as it has been consistently proposing.