MOSCOW, April 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has
ordered a surprise three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8-10, coinciding
with Moscow's World War II Victory Day commemorations, the Kremlin said
Monday.

The announcement came after US President Donald Trump urged Putin to "stop
shooting" and "sign a deal" to end the three-year conflict, which the White
House is seeking to end through diplomatic means.

The United States has been trying to broker a lasting ceasefire between
Moscow and Kyiv but has failed to extract any major concessions from the
Kremlin, despite repeated negotiations between his administration and Russian
officials.

"Based on humanitarian considerations, the Russian side is declaring a truce
during the 80th anniversary of Victory Day," the Kremlin said.

It said from May 8 through May 10, "all hostilities" would be stopped.

"Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example. In the
event of violations of the truce by the Ukrainian side, the Russian armed
forces will give an adequate and effective response," it added.

The Kremlin announced a similar, 30-hour truce during Easter but while both
sides reported a dip in fighting, they accused each other of hundreds of
violations.