Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine next month, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory day of World War II.
The Kremlin said the 72-hour ceasefire will last from the beginning of May 8th until the end of May 10th.
“All military operations have been suspended over this period,” the Kremlin said in a statement. “Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.”
“In the event of a violation by the Ukrainian side, Russian troops will provide an appropriate and effective response,” the statement said.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far refused to accept a completely unconditional ceasefire. (Photo via Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photos)
There was no immediate reaction from Kiev to the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire.
Putin has previously said he has in principle agreed to a ceasefire contract for the Russian Ukrain, but has so far refused to accept a completely unconditional ceasefire.
Victory Day is Russia’s largest secular holiday. Parades are regularly featured in Moscow’s Red Square to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.
During the war between Russia and Ukraine, Putin used the event to emphasize victory over Nazi Germany, even claiming similarities between German Nazi rule and Ukraine.
Rubio takes a gloomy tone on the Russian Ukraine peace deal: “close but not enough”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday he had squealed in a gloomy tone for a massive peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, and told NBC’s “Mass the Press” there were “no deals yet.”
“We have made real progress, but the final couple’s steps on this journey have always been the most difficult,” Rubio said. “It needs to happen soon. Like I said, if it doesn’t happen, we can’t devote our time and resources to this issue.”
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“Last week was about figuring out how close these aspects are, and this is close enough to deserve a continuous investment of our time as a mediator in this respect,” he added.
Anders Hagstrom from Fox News Digital and Manahil Ahmad from Fox News have contributed to this report.
