MOSCOW. Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire in the ongoing war with Ukraine, set to take effect from May 8 to May 10. The pause in hostilities is meant to coincide with commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. However, Kyiv is pushing back, insisting that the lives of civilians should not be tied to symbolic celebrations.
The Kremlin stated on Sunday that the ceasefire will cover Victory Day on May 9, when international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend ceremonies in Moscow. “All military actions are suspended for this period. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the Kremlin said in its official statement. “In the event of violations by the Ukrainian side, Russia’s armed forces will give an adequate and effective response.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy questioned the delay in implementing the truce, emphasizing the need for an immediate halt to the conflict to save lives. “For some reason, everyone is supposed to wait for May 8 and only then have a ceasefire to ensure calm for Putin during the parade,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. “We value people’s lives and not parades.”
The ceasefire announcement follows growing international pressure and a call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said, “While President Trump welcomes Vladimir Putin’s willingness to pause the conflict, the president has been very clear he wants a permanent ceasefire and to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution.”
This is Putin’s second unilateral ceasefire offer in recent weeks. A previous 30-hour Easter truce failed to hold, with both sides accusing each other of multiple violations.
Kyiv remains skeptical of Russia’s intentions, accusing the Kremlin of using temporary truces as a tactic to regroup and advance its military objectives. Ukraine has repeatedly urged the international community to exert more pressure on Moscow, warning that Putin’s gestures of peace are often strategic rather than sincere.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear stuck. Russia insists it is open to direct negotiations “without preconditions,” but Ukrainian law currently prohibits any talks with Putin. This legal block stems from a 2022 decree signed by Zelenskiy after Russia’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions—an act widely condemned by the United Nations and the international community.
In an interview with Brazil’s O Globo newspaper, Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s preconditions for peace: barring Ukraine from joining NATO, “demilitarizing and de-Nazifying Ukraine,” and obtaining international recognition of the four partially occupied Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.
“Lavrov highlighted the importance of reinforcing the emerging conditions necessary to launch negotiations aimed at establishing a reliable framework for long-term, sustainable peace,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
Still, suspicion lingers in Kyiv, where officials argue that Russia is simply trying to buy time on the battlefield. While Russia accuses Ukraine of rejecting compromise, Ukrainian leaders insist that true peace must be built on justice and sovereignty imposed on terms.
Adding to the tension, Trump recently remarked that Zelenskiy might be willing to concede Crimea, the region Russia annexed in 2014. However, Zelenskiy has previously said such a move would violate Ukraine’s constitution. The Ukrainian government has not officially commented on Trump’s latest remarks.
As world leaders prepare to visit Moscow next month, all eyes remain on whether Putin’s ceasefire will hold—and whether it marks a step toward de-escalation or simply another pause in an increasingly brutal war.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
