Moscow: The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that it will proceed with a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire proposed by President Vladimir Putin, despite Ukraine's firm refusal to accept the truce. The ceasefire is scheduled to begin at midnight on May 8 and last through May 11, in observance of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the truce would remain in place during the Victory Day festivities but warned that Russian forces would respond swiftly if attacked during the ceasefire window.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the move as a symbolic gesture intended to coincide with Russia’s May 9 military parade in Moscow. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry also criticized the participation of foreign soldiers in the parade, stating that doing so would equate to condoning Russia’s actions in the war.
“To march alongside Russian troops is to bear moral responsibility for the deaths of Ukrainian civilians, including children,” the ministry said in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to support Putin’s proposal on Monday, noticed that even a short truce "means a lot" in light of prior tensions. Notably, a U.S.-proposed ceasefire earlier this year was turned down by Putin despite Zelensky’s support.
The Kremlin also announced that 29 foreign leaders are expected to attend this year’s Victory Day parade on Red Square, which is being billed as the largest yet.
Among the high-profile attendees are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will be the only European leaders in attendance.
Leaders from Asia, Africa, and Latin America—including from countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, Cuba, and Zimbabwe—will also be present. Additionally, soldiers from 13 countries, including China, Egypt, Vietnam, and former Soviet republics, will march alongside Russian troops.
