Moscow, April 28 — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a 72-hour ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Kremlin said the ceasefire would span three days around May 9, when Putin plans to host global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, for extensive celebrations in Moscow.
“All military actions are suspended for this period. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the Kremlin said in a statement. It warned, however, that any violations would be met with an “adequate and effective response.”
There was no immediate reaction from Kyiv. The announcement marks the second unilateral truce declared by Putin in recent weeks, following a 30-hour Easter ceasefire that both sides accused each other of repeatedly breaching.
The Kremlin move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has raised frustration over the slow pace of peace efforts.
Trump’s remarks over the weekend indicated skepticism about Moscow’s intentions, as he accused Putin of “just tapping me along” following a deadly Russian strike on Kyiv.
Washington has warned that its commitment to peace talks could end unless substantial progress is made.
In Rome on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, reaffirming Kyiv’s readiness to engage in dialogue once a true ceasefire halts the fighting.
However, Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, dismissed Russia’s intentions on Monday, citing ongoing assaults on Ukrainian territory.
“Russia is not ceasing fire at the front and is attacking Ukraine with Shaheds right now,” Yermak posted on Telegram, referring to the Iranian-made drones frequently used by Russian forces.
“All the Russians’ statements about peace without ceasing fire are just plain lies.”
The Kremlin insisted it remains open to negotiations.
“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 said.
Yet Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintained that the first move must come from Kyiv, noting that Ukraine currently has a legal block on negotiations.
“There is a legal ban on talks with Putin,” Peskov told reporters, referring to a 2022 decree issued by Zelenskiy after Russia illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions — a move rejected by the United Nations and much of the international community.
Ukraine has continued to accuse Moscow of using temporary ceasefires to consolidate battlefield gains and delay meaningful negotiations.
Ukrainian officials argue that greater international pressure is needed to compel Russia to genuinely stop the fighting.
Meanwhile, Moscow accuses Ukraine of refusing to compromise and seeking a ceasefire only under terms favorable to Kyiv.
Read more: Zelenskyy, Trump Push Ceasefire in Talks Before Pope’s Funeral
