Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a two-day unilateral ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine, set to take effect on May 8 and May 9 to mark the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. The announcement was made by Russia’s Defence Ministry, which said it was counting on the Ukrainian side to follow suit and observe the truce.
However, the ministry also issued a stark warning, stating that if Ukraine declines and attacks the May 9 commemorations in Moscow later in the week, Russia would launch a massive missile attack on the centre of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
“Despite the capabilities at our disposal, Russia has previously refrained from such actions on humanitarian grounds,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement, while also warning the civilian population of Kyiv and staff at foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city in a timely manner.
The ceasefire offer comes as Russia prepares to commemorate Victory Day, which marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany in 1945, a date that holds deep historical significance for Moscow. Since Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has instead moved its day of commemoration from May 9 to May 8 in line with Western Europe and the United States.
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In response to the Russian announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that Ukraine had received “no official appeal” on ceasing hostilities from Russia. Zelenskyy instead proposed a different, earlier start to a ceasefire, suggesting a halt in fighting beginning from midnight on the night of May 5 to May 6.
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