On April 28, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The ceasefire, lasting 72 hours, is set to take place from May 8 to May 10, 2025, coinciding with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Putin described the ceasefire as a humanitarian gesture and called on Ukraine to reciprocate. However, he also warned that any violations by Ukrainian forces would lead to a “swift and adequate” response from Russia.
Ukraine’s leadership, however, expressed skepticism about the timing of the announcement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the delayed ceasefire, stating that if peace is the goal, hostilities should cease immediately, not in over a week. Ukrainian officials also suggested a more extended 30-day truce to facilitate genuine peace negotiations.
International reactions to the announcement have been mixed. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the three-day ceasefire would not be sufficient to end the war, continuing to advocate for a permanent resolution. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that the U.S. could reassess its involvement if meaningful progress is not made.
This ceasefire declaration follows numerous failed attempts at establishing lasting truces in the ongoing war, including a recent U.S.-brokered deal that aimed to stop strikes on critical infrastructure. As the proposed ceasefire dates draw near, the global community remains on edge, hoping for a de-escalation but uncertain if this will mark a turning point in the prolonged conflict.
