Putin Announces 72-Hour Ceasefire in Ukraine to Mark 80th Anniversary of WWII Victory

Moscow, April 28, 2025 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 7 to May 10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Kremlin described the move as a “humanitarian gesture,” offering an opportunity for peace talks without preconditions, according to several international reports.

However, Ukraine has responded with deep skepticism. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha dismissed the 72-hour ceasefire as a mere “simulacrum” and reiterated Kyiv’s demand for a full, long-term cessation of hostilities. Sybiha emphasized that true peace would require a minimum 30-day ceasefire and a serious commitment to ending the war.

The United States also expressed doubt over the effectiveness of the ceasefire. President Donald Trump said that while any pause in violence is welcome, a brief truce is not enough to bring lasting peace. He urged both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations for a permanent resolution. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the U.S. would reconsider its diplomatic support if no real progress is made toward a durable ceasefire.

Despite calling for peace talks, Russia maintains firm conditions for negotiations, including recognition of its control over annexed Ukrainian territories and the demilitarization of Ukraine—demands that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

The announcement comes just days ahead of Russia’s highly symbolic Victory Day celebrations on May 9, an event likely to see increased security measures amid the ongoing war.

While the Kremlin’s gesture is positioned as a bid for diplomacy, Western leaders and Ukrainian officials remain cautious, seeing it as a potential tactic to regroup forces rather than a genuine move toward peace.