Russia and Ukraine Declare Separate Ceasefires Ahead of WWII Anniversary
Russia threatened a massive missile strike on Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the holiday pause, while Kyiv said it would begin a reciprocal truce earlier.
- On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry declared a unilateral ceasefire for May 8–9 to mark Victory Day, threatening a "massive missile strike" on Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts celebrations. Ukraine rejected the offer as "not serious," announcing its own "silence regime" starting the night of May 5–6.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin previously floated the ceasefire idea to U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to honor the 81st anniversary of the Great Patriotic War. Authorities recently pared down the Moscow parade, removing military hardware due to fears of Ukrainian drone attacks.
- Emphasizing that "human life is incomparably more valuable than the 'celebration' of any anniversary," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the offer, stating his government received "no official appeal" from Russia. He urged Russian leaders to take real steps toward ending the war.
- Warning of "retaliatory, massive missile strikes," the Russian Defense Ministry urged civilians and foreign diplomatic missions to leave Kyiv promptly if commemorations are disrupted. This escalates security risks for the capital's residents during the holiday period.
- Past broken truces fuel Kyiv's skepticism as intense drone-dominated attacks continue despite the holiday pause. With Russian advances slowed since late 2025, the competing ceasefires underscore the deep mistrust between warring sides navigating the conflict's fourth year.
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The Ukrainian president advances and proposes a ceasefire from midnight on Tuesday, not Saturday, as Russia called for. Moscow threatens to raze Kiev if Ukraine does not respect it. More information: Putin tries to mediate between Iran and the US: congratulates Trump on the ceasefire but warns him of "consequences" if he attacks again.
kreiszeitung.de
Putin wants a ceasefire in the Ukraine war for his celebrations on the anniversary of the end of World War II. Selenskyy calls for a longer ceasefire.
Moscow proposed a two-day pause in the fighting, which Kiev has already declared.
In a diplomatic and military turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Monday a unilateral cease-fire beginning on Tuesday 5 May at midnight, says the World. This initiative is ahead of the truce originally proposed by the Kremlin for the annual celebrations marking the end of the Second World War in Moscow and throughout Russia. "Peace cannot wait for parades and celebrations," said Ukrainian diplomatic leader Andri Sybiha. Kiev …
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