Russia has formally begun a unilateral ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, one of the country\u2019s most significant national holidays, according to Russian state media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Kremlin-initiated truce, which was first announced by President Vladimir Putin last week, took effect at midnight on May 8 and is scheduled to last through 00:00 on May 11, Russian news agency TASS confirmed on Thursday, local time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moscow has described the pause in military operations as a humanitarian gesture, calling on Ukraine to honor the ceasefire and warning that violations will draw an \u201cadequate and effective response.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victory Day, celebrated annually on May 9, commemorates the Soviet Union\u2019s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. This year marks eight decades since the end of World War II in Europe, and the Kremlin has invited several foreign representatives to Moscow for the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the framework of Russia\u2019s proposed truce, saying Ukraine continues to support a U.S.-backed 30-day unconditional ceasefire. While Kyiv has not withdrawn its offer, it remains unclear whether Ukraine will observe the Russian-declared pause in fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn unconditional ceasefire is the model proposed by the Americans. We are following that model,\u201d Zelenskyy told reporters on Saturday, according to Euronews. \u201cYes, let’s try for 30 days. Why a 30-day ceasefire? Because it’s impossible to reach any agreements in three, five, or even seven days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials attending the Moscow parade. \u201cThe Russian side can independently take any actions against the guests and shift the blame for this to Ukraine, and the Ukrainian side, in turn, cannot be responsible for what is happening in the Russian Federation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a post on Wednesday, just before Russia’s ceasefire went into effect, Zelenskyy again denounced Moscow\u2019s intentions. \u201cToday, air raid sirens across Ukraine have sounded almost the entire day. Overnight, there was yet another Russian attack with missiles and drones\u2014ballistic strikes and more than 140 attack drones in a single night\u2026 Tragically, there are wounded and killed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine’s 30-day ceasefire proposal \u201cstill stands,\u201d he added. \u201cIt offers a real chance for diplomacy, but it is Russia that the world sees giving no answer\u2014no response except for new strikes. This clearly and obviously shows who is the source of this war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Kremlin has reiterated its willingness to engage in peace negotiations without preconditions, insisting that talks must address what it calls the root causes of the war, including its broader security concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Donald Trump has urged Putin to end hostilities, saying, \u201cStop shooting, sit down and sign a deal,\u201d and warned that secondary sanctions or further financial pressure could be imposed if the war continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A broader U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire, which had been accepted by both sides in early March, ultimately collapsed. A separate truce over the Easter holiday also broke down amid accusations of violations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Russia has formally begun a unilateral ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, one of the country\u2019s most significant national holidays, according to Russian state media. The Kremlin-initiated truce, which was first announced by President Vladimir Putin last week, took effect at midnight on May 8 and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":54222,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[105,2700,569],"class_list":["post-54221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world","tag-russia","tag-russia-ukraine-war","tag-ukraine"],"yoast_head":"\n