A three-day ceasefire ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark World War II Victory Day has officially taken effect, according to Russian state media, despite Ukraine rejecting the move as a hollow gesture.
The truce began at midnight on Thursday and is set to last through Saturday.
The Kremlin declared the ceasefire a “humanitarian” act, timed with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Russia’s state-run RIA news agency confirmed that the ceasefire had commenced, though tensions remained high on both sides.
Ukraine dismissed the truce as “theatrics,” maintaining its call for a 30-day ceasefire instead. Kyiv cited past Russian violations during a similar Easter truce, casting doubt on Moscow’s sincerity and compliance. Officials in Ukraine claim that hundreds of breaches occurred during the previous short-term ceasefire.
Just hours before the ceasefire was to take effect, both nations exchanged aerial assaults. The attacks resulted in airport closures within Russia and left at least two people dead in Ukraine.
Despite ordering the ceasefire, the Kremlin warned that Russian forces would respond “immediately” to any Ukrainian aggression. This stance further underscores the fragile and conditional nature of the truce.
Putin’s truce order came after months of pressure from the United States to end the ongoing war. However, efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump to secure a permanent ceasefire have yielded little progress. A joint U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire was rejected by Moscow in March, and Putin’s gestures since have been minimal.
What you should know
Putin’s three-day ceasefire, launched on May 8, 2025, is a symbolic gesture tied to Victory Day, but its effectiveness is undermined by Ukraine’s refusal to participate, ongoing strikes, and a history of violated truces.
Its longevity is doubtful, given Russia’s maximalist demands, Ukraine’s insistence on a 30-day unconditional truce, and mutual distrust.
Strategic motives, like shielding Moscow’s parade and countering Trump’s frustration, overshadow humanitarian claims, as evidenced by the Easter truce’s failure and ISW’s warnings of Russian repositioning.
As the war grinds on, with 62 civilian deaths and 290 injuries since April 19, 2025, the ceasefire seems less a step toward peace than a tactical pause in a conflict with no end in sight.
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