Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a short-term suspension of military operations in Ukraine, set to last from the morning of May 8 until May 11, according to the Kremlin.
The pause in fighting aligns with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations marking the end of World War Two.
In its statement, the Kremlin said the ceasefire was declared “for humanitarian reasons.”
Ukraine has yet to issue a formal response to the announcement.
A translated version of the Kremlin’s statement emphasized that Moscow expects Kyiv to honor the ceasefire as well.
It warned that any breach by Ukrainian forces would be met with a “proportionate and decisive” reaction from Russia’s military.
The Kremlin reiterated its willingness to engage in unconditional peace negotiations aimed at addressing the underlying causes of the conflict, calling for “constructive cooperation” with the international community.
This is not the first time a ceasefire has been proposed. Over Easter, a 30-hour truce was initiated but saw only a minor decrease in hostilities, with both Russia and Ukraine blaming each other for numerous violations.
Throughout the war, more than 20 ceasefire attempts have been made, none of which have held for long — some collapsing almost immediately.
The latest ceasefire proposal comes at a pivotal moment, with Washington describing this week as “very critical” for ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace efforts.
The United States has been working to mediate a resolution, but the Trump administration has threatened to withdraw from negotiations if significant progress is not made.
Putin’s move appears aimed at demonstrating Russia’s commitment to a peaceful settlement, especially in light of Ukraine’s reported acceptance of a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan.
This follows President Trump’s frustration with Moscow’s persistent military actions against Ukraine.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. Since then, Moscow has seized control of about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, the majority being military personnel from both sides.