Kremlin declares 72‑hour ceasefire amid escalating tensions
On Wednesday at 5 PM Eastern Time, the Kremlin issued a statement that a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine had come into effect. President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously declared that Ukraine was ready for a 30-day truce, which Vladimir Putin rejected.
The ceasefire came into effect at midnight Moscow time. Vladimir Putin announced it on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The truce is to last for 72 hours, until midnight on May 11, according to the state agency Tass.
"There will be a ceasefire, but in the event that there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime and attempts to strike our positions or our facilities continue, then an appropriate response will be given immediately," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Russian media.
In response to Russia's proposal for a three-day truce, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky replied that he was ready for a ceasefire, but a 30-day one, which Putin rejected. He added that due to the ongoing war, Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign dignitaries during their visit to Moscow.
Zelensky suggested that Moscow, which unilaterally announced the truce, did so out of fear of Ukrainian drone attacks during the military parade planned for May 9 on the occasion of Victory Day.
"Our proposal to stop the strikes, to cease fire for at least 30 days remains in force. But it is from Russia that the world sees no answer -- no answer, except for new strikes." Zelensky emphasized in a social media post on Wednesday evening that it is now unmistakably clear to everyone responsible for starting the war.
This is not the first break in fighting that Russia has announced recently. On April 19, Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced a truce due to Easter, which was to last for 30 hours. Moscow and Kiev mutually accused each other of repeatedly violating the ceasefire.
Many reports provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.
