MOSCOW Apr 28 (V7N) - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday a three-day ceasefire in the ongoing war with Ukraine, scheduled for May 8th, 9th, and 10th. This pause in hostilities coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two.

The Kremlin stated that the 72-hour ceasefire would encompass May 9th, a day when Putin is set to host international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, for significant celebrations commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany.

In response to the announcement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha questioned the timing, stating, "If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th?" He emphasized on X that a ceasefire should be "real, not just for a parade."

The White House indicated that President Donald Trump desires a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Against a backdrop of increasing impatience from the U.S., Putin's move appears to be an attempt to signal Russia's continued interest in peace, a notion that Ukraine and its European allies have disputed.

"All military actions are suspended for this period. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example," the Kremlin said in its statement regarding the May 8-10 ceasefire. The statement also warned of an "adequate and effective response" in the event of violations by the Ukrainian side.

This announcement marks the second unilateral truce declared by Putin in quick succession, following a 30-hour Easter ceasefire that both sides accused the other of repeatedly violating.

It comes after President Trump recently criticized Putin for a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv and expressed concern that Putin was not serious about peace efforts. Washington has repeatedly threatened to withdraw its peace initiatives without tangible progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met with President Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome on Saturday, has stated that Kyiv would be prepared to engage in talks with Moscow once a ceasefire agreement has halted the fighting. Ukraine's Sybiha noted that Kyiv had been "constantly proposing" a ceasefire for at least 30 days, while Russia has maintained that it seeks a comprehensive settlement rather than a temporary pause.

The Kremlin statement further declared Russia's "readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and constructive interaction with international partners."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had earlier told reporters that the impetus for direct talks should originate from Ukraine, citing a current "legal ban" on negotiating with Putin, a reference to a 2022 decree by Zelenskiy that ruled out such negotiations after Russia's annexation claims of four Ukrainian regions, an action widely condemned as illegal by most countries at the United Nations.

Ukraine accuses Russia of employing delaying tactics to attempt to seize more of its territory and has urged increased international pressure on Moscow to cease hostilities. Conversely, Russia accuses Ukraine of being unwilling to make any concessions and of seeking a ceasefire solely on its own terms.

President Trump on Sunday urged Russia to halt its attacks in Ukraine and suggested that Zelenskiy might be ready to concede Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Earlier this month, Zelenskiy stated that ceding Crimea would violate Ukraine's constitution. Kyiv has not yet commented on President Trump's Sunday remarks regarding Crimea.

END/WD/RH/