Putin's chilling 14-word demand to Zelensky as Kremlin announces three-day ceasefire
On the momentous 80th anniversary of Russian Victory Day, President
Vladimir Putin
has declared a ceasefire, a move that comes
amid escalating pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump
for Moscow to cease hostilities in
Ukraine
.
Russian
state media outlets have
reported that the ceasefire will commence
at the stroke of midnight on May 7 and is set to conclude at the same time on May 11.
"By decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, based on
humanitarian considerations
, during the days of the 80th anniversary of the Victory - from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11, the Russian side declares a ceasefire," the Kremlin proclaimed.
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The Kremlin further stated, "All military actions are suspended for this period," issuing a challenge to Kyiv to reciprocate.
They also cautioned that they would deliver "an adequate and effective response" should Ukraine breach the ceasefire terms, reports
the Express US
.
"The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace negotiations without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and constructive interaction with international partners," the Kremlin continued.
Despite previously announcing a unilateral ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure, Russia had breached that declaration.
Victory Day, observed on May 9 in Russia, marks the commemoration of the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II.
This update follows Trump's denunciation of Moscow's overnight missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, which left at least 90 people injured and claimed 12 lives. Having been traditionally hesitant to criticize the Kremlin, Trump voiced his discontent, saying he was "not happy" about it.
He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the destructive bombings, writing, "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!" on his platform Truth Social.
The bombardment ranks among the most severe assaults by Russian forces since Putin commenced the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an event Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky labeled as one of Russia's "most outrageous."
In footage shared by Anton Gerashchenko, former adviser to Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, a North Korean KN-23 (KN-23A) ballistic missile is seen hitting Kyiv.
Zelensky later revealed on Telegram that the missile included parts from various nations, including the United States.
According to Zelensky's statement on Telegram, the failure to exert adequate pressure on Russia allows for such missile imports and their subsequent use in Europe, while insufficient actions against North Korea and its partners facilitate the production of these ballistic missiles.
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied allegations of weapon transfers, but Ukraine insists that
North Korea has provided Russia with military support
, including artillery shells, rocket systems, soldiers, and ballistic missiles—specifically 148 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles.
The assault occurred just as weeks of peace talks seemed to be concluding without a resolution and shortly after Trump criticized Zelenskyy for extending the "killing field" by not conceding the Russia-held Crimea Peninsula in a potential agreement.
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