Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a two-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to observe the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
The ceasefire would run Friday and Saturday, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered with his own proposed pause in fighting starting earlier, on Tuesday night.
While temporary ceasefires are not unheard of in the conflict, which started when Russia launched a large-scale invasion of the country in 2022, Ukraine had been wary of the notion of a brief ceasefire rather than moves toward a prolonged end to fighting.
“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defense Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill,” Zelenskyy said.
Russian drone shot down over eastern Ukraine
Putin had first spoken of a possible ceasefire coinciding with commemorations of the 81st anniversary of the victory in a phone conversation last week with President Donald Trump.
Russia celebrates victory in World War II on May 9, a major national holiday marking the day the Soviet Union signed Germany’s surrender in 1945.
It traditionally holds a military parade, but it says this year’s commemoration will feature none of the military hardware frequently put on display at past commemorations because of the threat of increased Ukrainian “terrorist” activity.
Ukraine has recently stepped up its long-range drone attacks on targets deep inside Russia.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Telegram that Moscow’s forces would take all measures to ensure the safety of the commemorations. It warned that any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt the celebrations would prompt retaliation.
Authorities cut off mobile internet services to many customers in Moscow on Tuesday ahead of the parade.
Speaking in Yerevan, Armenia, Zelenskyy said that while United States and Russian officials had spoken about a ceasefire, the idea had not been officially proposed to Ukrainian officials.
"This is Russia’s war against Ukraine. If America and Russia are negotiating, it is important that our side knows what they are talking about," Zelenskyy said.
On Tuesday, he said Moscow had shown “utter cynicism” by asking for a ceasefire and then launching missile and drone attacks on his country.
Zelenskyy said five people were killed and dozens more were injured in the overnight Russian attacks, which mostly targeted energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
“Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are needed to achieve it. Ukraine will act in kind,” he said on X.
Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of violating previous ceasefires. The general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said that Russia broke an Easter ceasefire with shelling last month, and the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of doing the same.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also said last year that Russia attacked Ukrainian energy facilities during a ceasefire.
In the event that Ukrainian forces violated the truce, the Russian Defense Ministry statement warned “the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in a timely manner.”
Up to 27 million people are estimated to have died during World War II, and Victory Day is a major celebration in Russia.
