Russia Declares 72-Hour Ceasefire in Ukraine for Victory Day, Ukraine Responds with Skepticism

World

Russia has declared a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine, set to coincide with its most significant national holiday, Victory Day, which marks the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany. The ceasefire is scheduled from midnight on May 7 to midnight on May 10 and is part of Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War. President Vladimir Putin said the ceasefire would be on humanitarian grounds and called on Kyiv to agree to the pause in hostilities.

However, Ukraine's response came swiftly and with skepticism. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Russia’s proposal, asserting that if Russia genuinely sought peace, it should implement an immediate ceasefire rather than waiting for Victory Day. He reiterated that Ukraine was ready for a “lasting, reliable, and complete ceasefire” for a minimum of 30 days but questioned the sincerity of Russia’s offer, suggesting that it was more for the sake of military parades than for actual peace.

Further dismissing Russia’s proposal, Andriy Yermak, a senior official in Ukraine's presidential office, wrote on Telegram that the ceasefire was "not needed for a parade, but for real and sustainable peace."

While Russia’s announcement was a strategic move coinciding with the Victory Day celebrations—a day marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany—Ukraine did not confirm whether it would accept the ceasefire offer. The Kremlin’s statement emphasized that during the proposed ceasefire period, all hostilities would cease, but warned that any violations by Ukrainian forces would lead to an “adequate and effective response” from Russia’s military.

The ceasefire proposal comes amid rising international pressure, particularly from the United States, urging both sides to agree to a full ceasefire and halt the ongoing conflict. However, Ukraine remains firm in its stance, calling for a much more prolonged and sustainable cessation of hostilities.

As both sides maintain their positions, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a potential breakthrough but uncertain about the prospects for lasting peace.