Putin Announces Three-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine

Iruni Kalupahana, Jadetimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war

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Image Source: Gavriil Grigorov

In a dramatic twist, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day total ceasefire in the war against Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War II.

According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire was to occur between 8 May evening and 10 May evening and all combat should stop for this period. Russia called upon Ukraine to adopt the ceasefire as well. However, the Kremlin indicated that if Ukraine broke it, there would be an "effective and adequate" military response.

Ukraine reacted by calling for a broader and more substantive suspension of hostilities. Ukrainian Foreign Secretary Andrii Sybiha called for a 30-day ceasefire immediately, wondering why Russia would hold back a truce if peace was what it sought. "If Russia truly wants peace, then it must cease fire immediately," Sybiha said, highlighting Ukraine's willingness to support a long-term and stable ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the White House announced President Donald Trump growing extremely angry at both parties and calling for an eternal ceasefire. Trump was disillusioned with Russian missile attacks on a regular basis and appealed to President Putin to "stop firing, sit down, and sign an agreement."

The Kremlin announcement follows on from suspicion on the part of Ukraine and Western pundits. The ceasefire, many believe, is a strategic ploy to keep Russia's Victory Day parade clear of potential disruptions by Ukrainian drones and not a genuine move toward peace. Svitlana Morenets, a Ukrainian journalist, said that Putin's proposal appears to be "putting on a show to calm Trump" and salvage face during the Red Square parade.

Past incidents also have also shaped Ukraine's distrust. Though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia violated a previous Easter ceasefire over 3,000 times, long range missile strikes had ceased briefly, but artillery fighting and drone attacks continued, with Russian forces making the lull to rearm their lines.

Adding even more pressure to that, it was officially confirmed this week that North Korean troops had been dispatched into combat with Russian forces in Ukraine, after weeks of speculation.

The Kremlin's language of a solution to the "root causes" of the conflict implies longstanding Russian demands: keeping Ukraine out of NATO, reducing its military, and maintaining influence within Ukraine's internal politics. Russia persists in having maximalist peace talks demands, including international acceptance of its annexation of Crimea and other occupied territories, opposed by Ukraine and the United States.

Despite efforts by the US to organize a complete 30 days ceasefire, Russia had previously rejected the offer, but it was accepted by Ukraine.

As Victory Day on 9 May approaches a symbolic date in Russia for the conclusion of World War II, the declaration of a ceasefire appears to have military and political objectives. However, with ongoing attacks across Ukraine, including deadly air raids on Sumy and Kyiv over the past few days, the chances of an enduring peace continue to be questionable.

For now, as the world waits nervously, most specialists caution that real progress toward peace will require a lot more than a temporary ceasefire.