Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine this weekend to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War Two, the Kremlin revealed.
The truce will stretch from 8–11 May, according to a Kremlin statement, in what marks the second ceasefire gesture by Moscow in recent weeks following a controversial Easter Sunday truce — one Ukraine and European allies accused Russia of violating.
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“Russia will respond to any Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire,” the Kremlin warned, while adding that Moscow remains ready for peace talks without any preconditions.
The ceasefire announcement is widely seen as an attempt by Russia to soften its image internationally amid growing global outrage over continued strikes on civilian areas.
Trump Expresses ‘Disappointment’ in Putin Amid Civilian Bombardments
The ceasefire offer also comes as Russia faces criticism from key political players, most notably U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he was “very disappointed” with Vladimir Putin after relentless attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas.
Mr. Trump also weighed in on the ongoing peace efforts, suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may be open to serious concessions, including the potential surrender of Crimea to Russia:
“I believe Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea in order to strike a peace deal with Russia,” Trump stated.
Trump’s comments highlight growing international impatience as the war drags into another bloody year, despite sporadic ceasefire declarations.
North Korea Enters the Fray: Kim Jong Un Sends Troops to Aid Russia
In a dramatic new development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed he has deployed troops to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine — the first public acknowledgement of direct North Korean military involvement.
Kim issued a fiery statement backing Putin’s invasion, saying his forces were tasked to: “Annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk area.”
