Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire for the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin stated that the ceasefire would last from the morning of May 8 until May 11, coinciding with the victory celebrations marking the end of World War II.
In response, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for an immediate ceasefire lasting “at least 30 days”.
While US President Donald Trump, who has been attempting to broker a truce between the two sides, stated that he wants to see a permanent ceasefire, the White House confirmed.
The Kremlin announced a similar, 30-hour truce over Easter, but while both sides reported a dip in fighting, they accused each other of hundreds of violations.
In Ukraine, over 20 ceasefires have failed, with some lasting only minutes.
The most recent one, over Easter, was very limited in scope and only resulted in a slight reduction in fighting, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.
In a statement on Monday, the Kremlin said Putin declared the ceasefire “based on humanitarian considerations.
A translation of the statement said, “Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.
“In the event of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give 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.”
Following its release, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha said, “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately.”
“Why wait until May 8th?” he wrote on X. “If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days—so it is real, not just for a parade.”
He said Ukraine is ready to support a “lasting, durable, and complete ceasefire. And this is what we consistently propose for at least 30 days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was growing “increasingly frustrated with leaders of both countries.
“He wants to see a permanent ceasefire.
I understand Vladimir Putin this morning offered a temporary ceasefire. The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire first to stop the killing and stop the bloodshed.”
The latest announcement comes during what the US has described as a “very critical” week for Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
Washington has been trying to broker a deal between the two sides, but the Donald Trump administration has threatened to withdraw if it does not see progress.
Putin is keen to create the impression that Russia is serious about seeking peace, and he is eager for Trump to hear that message, given Ukraine has accepted Washington’s proposal for a more lasting 30-day ceasefire.
It comes after the US president expressed annoyance with Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and currently controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people—the vast majority of them soldiers—have been killed or injured on all sides since 2022.
