Putin Declares 3-Day Cease-Fire in Ukraine From May 8

The Russian president said it was to mark the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory against Germany in World War II.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on April 26, 2025. Alexander Kazakov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 28 announced a three-day cease-fire in Ukraine, starting on May 8.

The Kremlin, on its Telegram channel, said, “By order of the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Russia side, guided by humanitarian motives, announces a cease-fire for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.”

It said the truce would last from midnight Moscow time on May 8 to midnight on May 11.

“Any military operations will be ceased during this period,” the Kremlin stated.

“Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.

“In the event of any violations of the cease-fire by the Ukrainian side, the armed forces of the Russian Federation will give a proportionate and efficient response.

“The Russian side reiterates its willingness to enter peace talks without preconditions, with a view to eliminating the root causes behind the Ukraine crisis and establishing constructive interaction with international partners.”

Previously, Putin had refused to agree to a cease-fire unless Ukraine agreed to a condition that it pause arms supplies from the West.

Ukraine responded negatively to the Kremlin’s announcement.

Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian foreign minister, wrote on X: “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. Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire. And this is what we are constantly proposing, for at least 30 days.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on April 28 that U.S. President Donald Trump was “increasingly frustrated” with the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine and wanted to see a permanent cease-fire.

She said of Russia’s offer of a three-day cease-fire, “The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent cease-fire first to stop the killing, stop the bloodshed, and while he remains optimistic he can strike a deal, he is also being realistic as well and both leaders need to come to the table to negotiate their way out of this.”

A few hours before the Kremlin’s announcement, the Russian Defense Ministry said it had shot down 119 Ukrainian drones overnight, while air raid sirens rang out across Ukraine, without reports of casualties.

The Epoch Times was unable to verify the claims of either side.

On April 27, Trump urged Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine and accept a cease-fire agreement.

Three days earlier, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, Stop! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal Done!”

On April 27, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the coming week would be “very critical” in determining whether the United States would continue in its efforts to broker a deal.

Rubio said during an interview for NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the U.S. government might abandon efforts to mediate an end to the three-year war if Russia and Ukraine failed to make an agreement.

“I think they’re closer in general than they’ve been any time in the last three years, but it’s still not there,” he said.

“We cannot continue, as I said, to dedicate time and resources to this effort if it’s not going to come to fruition.”

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing since Putin sent thousands of troops for a full invasion in February 2022. Putin declared an “Easter truce” on April 19, directing his forces to halt all military operations until midnight on April 20.

Both sides later accused each other of violating the truce. The Russian military said on April 21 that it had resumed the “special military operation” after the truce ended.

Victory Day—known in the United States and western Europe as Victory in Europe (VE) Day—falls on May 8, the anniversary of the day that Adm. Karl Doenitz signed the surrender document on behalf of Nazi Germany.

It is marked in Russia—and previously in the Soviet Union—by a military parade in Moscow, which includes veterans of what is known by Russians as the Great Patriotic War.