MOSCOW — Russia on Monday announced a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 through May 10 to commemorate Victory Day, a major national holiday marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II.
The Kremlin said the truce would begin at 12:00 a.m. on May 8 (2100 GMT on May 7) and continue through the end of May 10. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the cessation of hostilities on what officials described as “humanitarian grounds” tied to the May 9 holiday.
The move comes amid heightened diplomatic efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a comprehensive peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Until now, Putin had resisted calls for an unconditional ceasefire, instead tying any truce to a halt in Western military support for Ukraine and a suspension of Kyiv’s mobilization efforts.
The ceasefire declaration followed another night of intense long-range strikes between the warring sides. Russian officials said their forces downed 119 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily over the Bryansk region along Russia’s border. In Ukraine, air raid sirens sounded across multiple regions early Monday, though no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage were available.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, questions remain about the durability of any peace effort. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Sunday that this week would be “very critical” in determining whether the Trump administration continues to invest in mediation efforts.
“We need to make a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in,” Rubio said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” warning that future American military aid to Ukraine could hinge on the outcome of negotiations.
Trump, speaking over the weekend, cast doubt on Putin’s sincerity in the peace talks, criticizing Russia for continuing attacks on civilian areas even as negotiations progressed. Nevertheless, Trump suggested a settlement was “close” to being reached.
European officials have accused Moscow of deliberately prolonging the war to allow Russian forces to capture more territory before agreeing to any terms. Western diplomats insist that a durable ceasefire is essential before formal peace talks can proceed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone call with Rubio on Sunday to discuss the situation. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the conversation centered on “consolidating emerging prerequisites for negotiations,” though specific details were not disclosed.
Moscow has so far resisted a U.S. proposal calling for an unconditional, 30-day cessation of hostilities. Ukraine has indicated its willingness to accept the American plan, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed, although both sides remain deeply distrustful of each other’s motives.
While peace negotiations continue, Ukraine remains firm on not ceding territory to Russia as part of any settlement, a stance Washington has suggested might need to soften. A potential leverage point for Ukraine is an emerging agreement with the United States over access to Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Sunday after meetings in Washington that Kyiv and Washington had made “good progress” on a minerals agreement. Crucially, he emphasized that American aid already provided to Ukraine would not count against the terms of the new deal.
“We clearly defined our red lines: The agreement must comply with Ukraine’s Constitution, legislation, and European commitments, and must be ratified by Parliament,” Shmyhal said.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which erupted with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has grown into Europe’s largest war since World War II, involving a growing web of international alliances.
Putin on Monday publicly thanked North Korea for sending thousands of troops to support Russia’s operations against Ukraine, according to U.S. estimates. Western officials have also accused Iran of supplying Russia with Shahed drones and China of providing machinery and microelectronics used to manufacture weapons.
Despite these alliances, Ukraine’s primary support continues to come from the United States and European nations, whose military and economic aid have been crucial to Kyiv’s defense.
As Russia prepares to celebrate Victory Day, the announced ceasefire offers a temporary pause in hostilities. However, it remains unclear whether it will serve as a bridge toward a lasting peace or merely a brief respite in an increasingly brutal war.
