Russia declares 72-hour ceasefire amid US push for Peace with Ukraine

Russia urges Ukraine to join temporary truce as US President Trump claims ceasefire deal is close; Kyiv remains sceptical of Moscow’s intentions

MOSCOW, Russia (MNTV) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine next month, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, a highly symbolic date in Russia known as Victory Day.

The Kremlin stated that Russian forces would pause fighting from midnight on May 8 until midnight on May 10, calling on Ukraine to reciprocate the gesture.

The truce is intended to commemorate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in what Russians refer to as the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945), part of the broader conflict known internationally as World War II.

Putin’s announcement comes amid intensified diplomatic pressure from the United States for a broader ceasefire agreement.

Speaking from Moscow, the Russian president warned that while his forces would halt hostilities during the ceasefire window, they would respond “adequately and effectively” to any violations by Ukrainian forces.

This is not the first time Moscow has proposed a temporary halt to fighting.

Putin declared a brief truce during Easter earlier this year, though Ukraine reported nearly 3,000 violations during that period, fueling distrust in Kyiv about Russia’s intentions.

The ceasefire announcement followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend, who suggested that Russia and Ukraine were “very close to a deal” on a longer-lasting ceasefire.

Trump’s statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, came hours after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with President Putin in Moscow.

“It was a good day of negotiations between the U.S. and Russia,” Trump posted.

He noted that “most of the major points are agreed to,” and urged Ukraine and Russia to meet at “very high levels” to “finish it off.”

Trump, who arrived in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis shortly after making the remarks, said the U.S. would assist wherever necessary to help bring an end to the conflict.

The Kremlin described the talks with Witkoff as “constructive.” However, Ukraine was not represented at the meeting in Moscow, underscoring the growing unease in Kyiv about negotiations that could reshape the conflict’s outcome without Ukraine’s direct involvement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded cautiously to developments over the weekend.

Zelenskyy said “real pressure” must be exerted on Moscow to accept a genuine, unconditional ceasefire.

“Real pressure on Russia is needed so that they accept either the American proposal to cease fire and move towards peace, or our proposal — whichever one can truly work and ensure a reliable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, and then — a dignified peace and security guarantees,” Zelenskyy said.

The American proposal reportedly under discussion would effectively grant Russia control over all the territory it currently occupies in Ukraine, including Crimea — which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 following a disputed referendum.

Although Kyiv has historically rejected any settlement legitimising Russia’s territorial gains, Zelenskyy appeared to slightly soften his tone during remarks on Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv after inspecting the aftermath of a Russian airstrike that killed 12 people, Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine’s military limitations: “This is true what Trump says, that we don’t have enough weapons — weapons, not people — to regain control of Crimea by arms,” he said.

“But there is a possibility of sanctions, other economic pressure, diplomatic pressure,” Zelenskyy added, suggesting that non-military means could still be used to pressure Moscow.

President Trump, meanwhile, intensified his position regarding Crimea in an interview published Friday by Time magazine, saying that the region would “stay with Russia,” and that “Zelenskyy understands that.”

“Crimea will stay with Russia,” Trump told Time.

“Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” the U.S. president said.

Trump has reportedly been pressing Kyiv to make territorial concessions to accelerate a peace agreement that he could claim as an achievement within his first 100 days back in office — a milestone that falls next week.

An American official familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Trump’s team is eager to finalise a ceasefire quickly.

For Ukraine, the current situation presents a painful dilemma.

Accepting a ceasefire on Russia’s terms would mean surrendering vast swathes of its internationally recognised territory, an outcome that risks domestic backlash and weakening the principle of territorial integrity in international law.

However, with its army stretched thin and Western support becoming more conditional and uncertain, Kyiv faces increasing pressure to end the conflict.

Experts say the Kremlin’s offer of a temporary ceasefire during the Victory Day commemorations serves both symbolic and strategic purposes.

It allows Russia to present itself as seeking peace while simultaneously consolidating its battlefield gains and preparing for possible renewed offensives once the pause ends.

Ukraine has yet to formally respond to the latest Russian offer. However, officials in Kyiv remain deeply sceptical, viewing the Kremlin’s moves as tactical ploys rather than genuine peace overtures.

With Russia poised to celebrate one of its most sacred national holidays and the United States actively pushing for a diplomatic breakthrough, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining whether the brutal war — now dragging into its third year — can be brought to a halt, or whether it will grind on with even deadlier consequences.