Moscow declared a unilateral ceasefire between May 8 and 9, while Kiev announced a separate truce starting on May 6, in a move that reflects the discrepancy in timing of the two initiatives amid the lack of diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Published on: 04/05/2026 - 22:18 Last updated: 05/05/2026 - 05:37

The Russian Defense Ministry said that President Vladimir Putin approved a two-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine on Monday, coinciding with the commemoration of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Moscow threatened to launch a "major retaliatory missile strike on central Kiev" if the truce was violated, warning of any "unrest" during the commemoration.

Kiev responded by adopting its own truce starting on May 6, considering that its demand to adhere to a ceasefire during a Russian military event was "not serious."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explained in a post on the X platform that the Russian proposal is “not serious,” adding that Moscow fears Ukrainian drones flying over Red Square.

He added, "Until today, no official request has been sent to Ukraine regarding ceasefire mechanisms," announcing the entry into force of a Ukrainian truce "at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6."

This came in light of the lack of diplomatic efforts led by the United States to end the war, with Washington’s attention shifting towards escalation in the Middle East.

Ukrainian officials reported that at least nine people were killed in Russian strikes across the country on Monday, while a Ukrainian drone fell on a luxury residential building in Moscow overnight.

France 24/AFP

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