NEWSBREAK: RUSSIA – Russia ceasefire on Ukraine has been announced by president Vladimir Putin during the celebrations of Victory Day. The ceasefire will take effect from midnight of May 7 & 8, until midnight of May 10 to 11.
Previous Russia Ceasefire on Ukraine
This’ the second ceasefire to be initiated by Russia, the previous one being the Easter ceasefire.
The Victory Day celebrations are an annual celebration done in Russia to commemorate the defeat of the Nazi Germany during second World War.
The upcoming ones are for the 80th anniversary.
What will Happen During the Victory Day Ceasefire
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on 3 years later, during the Victory Day ceasefire;
- All military operations will cease from the Russian side
- Russia expects Ukraine to do the same
- If any ceasefire violations by Ukraine will be done, Russian army will be ready to respond
Putin emphasized his willingness for talks with Ukraine free from any preconditions, stating that “the Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and for constructive interaction with international partners.”
Ukrainian Response to the Proposed Ceasefire
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha commented on the Russia’s unilateral ceasefire by stating that Ukraine wants total ceasefire, adding that “we are constantly proposing, for at least 30 days.”
He questioned Russia’s 72-hour ceasefire during the Victory Day parade arguing that “if Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th? If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days – so it is real, not just for a parade.”
Zelensky on the other hand criticized the proposed Victory Day ceasefire saying that “there is yet another attempt at manipulation: for some reason, everyone is supposed to wait until May 8, and only then cease fire to provide Putin with silence for his parade. We value people’s lives, not parades. That’s why we believe – the world believes – that there is no reason to wait until May 8. And the fire must be stopped not for a few days so that afterward killing can resume.”
According to him, a full and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days is what real diplomacy needs.
American Response to the 72-Hour Ceasefire
Speaking to reporters, the White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that while Donald Trump inherited the conflict from his predecessor “who allowed the conflict to start in the first place,” he’s focused on solving it and is dedicated to being “peacemaker president.”
She stated that she understood “Vladimir Putin this morning offered a temporary ceasefire. The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire, first, to stop the killing, stop the bloodshed, and while he remains optimistic he can strike a deal, he’s also being realistic as well.”
Commenting on the sidelines meeting held during Pope Francis‘ funeral between Donald Trump and Ukrainian Zelensky, she added that “both leaders (Ukrainian and Russian) need to come to the table to negotiate their way out of this. And I do think that the president meeting with President Zelensky shows that he is exuding a lot of effort and time into this because he wants to be a peacemaker president.”