Ukraine ceasefire: On Monday, Russia declared a complete ceasefire from 8 to 10 May in Ukraine because it celebrates the day of victory over Nazi Germany.
The ceasefire will begin at 00:00 on May 8 (21:00 GMT, 7 May) and lasts until 10 May. The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a complete cessation of hostility on a “humanitarian basis” for the day of victory 9 May.
The day of victory, celebrated on May 9, is of deep historical and emotional importance for Russia. It reminds of the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945 and became the main symbol of national pride under Putin’s leadership.
The day traditionally contains military parades on Moscow Red Square, honors millions who have died in conflict, and strengthen Russian narratives of resistance and military power. In the Soviet tradition, the German instrument of surrender was signed at the end of 8 May, but due to the time difference the USSR celebrated it on 9 May.
The announcement comes in the middle of the wider and uncertain pressure of US President Donald Trump to end Europe’s greatest conflict since World War II, a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives.
According to The Washington Post Trump, he described the efforts of war settlement as “close” on Friday, but at the weekend he expressed skepticism about Russian sincerity and quoted the ongoing Russian strikes on the Ukrainian civilian areas even at a time when peace interviews continued.
The American involvement remains critical for the war efforts of Ukraine, especially in terms of military assistance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized “Meet the Press” NBC that next week it would be “very critical” to determine whether Washington should continue to invest diplomatic resources in the peace process.
Rubio noted that the US must soon decide whether the engagement is useful and suggests that future American support could be endangered if the conversations failed.
Meanwhile, they face efforts to negotiate a wider 30 -day truce. Ukraine, for President Volodymyr Zelskyy, agreed with the American proposal for a ceasefire full of months. Russia, however, effectively refused and set conditions that Ukraine and western officials consider unacceptable. French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump and Zelenkskyy have committed themselves to continue working on a “solid ceasefire”, which they consider to be a meaningful peace negotiations.
While Putin’s ceasefire announcement seems to be timed to evoke patriotism and represent Russia as a supporter of peace, deep divisions remain. Ukraine refuses to accept any settlement concerning territorial concessions and Zeletskyy accused Russia of committing “2,000 violations” of previous droppings. He urged the new ceasefire to extend to 30 days to develop serious peaceful conversations.
At present, the ceasefire, albeit symbolically significant, can little to solve deep distrust and stubborn positions that continue to support war.
(Tagstotranslate) Russia
