Russia has announced a temporary ceasefire in the Ukraine war to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Source: ABC News.
President Vladimir Putin declared the ceasefire for May 8–10, when the world will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the global conflict, as the Kremlin expressed readiness for peace talks under “preconditions”.
“In the event of violations of the ceasefire by Ukraine, Russia will respond,” the Kremlin told Reuters.
The Kremlin said Ukraine would join the 72-hour ceasefire, although Kyiv has not confirmed this deal.
The ceasefire was announced as US President Donald Trump’s administration decides whether a deal to end the more than three-year war is within reach.
The Kremlin said that Mr Putin ordered the full cessation of hostilities on “humanitarian grounds” to mark the May 9 holiday celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Up until now, Mr Putin had refused to accept an unconditional ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies to Kyiv and Ukraine’s mobilisation effort.
Just before the ceasefire announcement, Ukraine and Russia targeted each other with long-range strikes.
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces downed 119 Ukrainian drones, most of them over Russia’s border region.
In Ukraine, air raid sirens rang out across the country on Monday morning, local time.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
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Russia declares temporary Ukraine ceasefire to mark 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (ABC News)
