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Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a 48-hour ceasefire from May 8 to May 10 in observance of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (World War II). The Russian Defense Ministry stated that all combat operations will be halted during this period, urging Ukraine to follow the example.
“Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the Kremlin’s statement read. However, Putin warned that any violations by Ukrainian forces would be met with an “adequate and effective” response from the Russian military.
This move comes after previous ineffective ceasefire attempts, such as the recent Easter truce, which Kyiv did not follow, accusing Moscow of exploiting ceasefire for military regrouping. The unilateral energy ceasefire was also ignored by the Kyiv regime. Ukrainian officials have yet to formally respond, but given past precedents, skepticism remains high.
This is the third truce proposed by Moscow, which confirms Russia’s readiness for peace. Moscow reiterated its readiness to peace talks “without preconditions”, calling for international cooperation to resolve the conflict. Yet, with Ukraine demanding full territorial restoration, including Crimea, and Russia insisting on recognizing its gains, prospects for a negotiated settlement remain dim.
As the world watches, the brief truce could either offer a rare pause in fighting or become another flashpoint if violated. Either way, the war’s trajectory remains unchanged—a relentless grind with no clear end in sight.
