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In a notable development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The ceasefire is set to be in effect from the morning of May 8 until May 11, aligning with celebrations commemorating the end of World War II.
According to statements from the Kremlin, the ceasefire was proclaimed “based on humanitarian considerations.”
As of now, Ukraine has not issued a formal response to this announcement.
The Kremlin’s translation emphasized, “Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.”
It further warned, “In the event of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give an adequate and effective response.”
Additionally, the Russian government reiterated its willingness to engage in peace talks without preconditions, focusing on resolving the core issues behind the Ukrainian crisis and fostering cooperation with international partners.
Previously, a similar 30-hour truce was declared during Easter. Although both parties reported a decrease in hostilities, accusations of numerous violations flared up on both sides.
Attempts at establishing ceasefires in Ukraine have surpassed twenty, yet all have ultimately faltered, with some collapsing mere moments after inception.
The recent Easter truce was limited in effectiveness, resulting in minor reductions in combat, with both sides trading accusations of breaches.
This latest ceasefire proclamation arrives during what the United States has labeled a “very critical” week for discussions regarding peace between Russia and Ukraine.
The U.S. has been actively attempting to mediate between the conflicting factions, although the Donald Trump administration has threatened to withdraw its support unless significant progress is achieved.
Putin appears intent on projecting an image of genuine commitment to peace, particularly as he seeks to convey this message to Trump, especially after Ukraine signaled its acceptance of a more sustainable 30-day ceasefire proposal from Washington.
This announcement follows U.S. President Biden’s expressed frustration over Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine.
The conflict escalated when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, seizing control of approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths or injuries of an estimated hundreds of thousands of individuals, predominantly military personnel, across all involved sides since 2022.
Source
www.bbc.com