Russia has declared a unilateral Victory Day truce in Ukraine for May 8-9, while Kyiv says it will begin its own ceasefire earlier, at midnight on May 5-6. Ukraine says it has not received an official Russian proposal and warns Moscow may be setting a trap.
Russia and Ukraine have announced competing temporary ceasefires tied to Victory Day, but the two pauses do not begin at the same time and both sides are already casting doubt on the other’s intentions.
Russia said its unilateral truce in Ukraine will run on May 8-9, covering the period around its Victory Day commemorations. Kyiv responded by announcing its own ceasefire would start earlier, at midnight on May 5-6.
Ukraine said it had not received an official Russian proposal and argued that Moscow was not acting in good faith. Russia, meanwhile, warned that it would retaliate if Kyiv tried to disrupt the celebrations.
Reuters, AP and other outlets reported the duelling announcements on May 4 and May 5. The differing start dates mean the two ceasefire windows barely overlap, leaving open the possibility that fighting could continue through much of the holiday period.
The immediate question is whether either side will respect the pause long enough to create any real de-escalation, or whether the announcements are mainly political messaging ahead of Victory Day.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.