Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced another short-term ceasefire in the Ukraine war, set to last 72 hours from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end. The Kremlin stated, “This ceasefire is declared for humanitarian reasons, and we expect Ukraine to honor it.” However, the move has sparked questions about whether it represents a genuine effort to pause the conflict or merely a tactic for global optics. A similar 30-hour ceasefire during Easter was marred by Ukraine’s accusations of Russian violations, casting doubt on Moscow’s sincerity.

Ukraine responded by demanding an immediate ceasefire and a minimum 30-day peace agreement. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba questioned, “If Russia truly seeks peace, why wait until May 8?” Last month, the Trump administration pushed for a 30-day truce, which Ukraine accepted but Russia rejected. Critics in Russia view Putin’s announcement as an attempt to portray Russia as peace-seeking to U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump recently posted on Truth Social, “There’s no reason to fire missiles at cities. Putin doesn’t want to stop the war.” This suggests Washington’s growing frustration with Moscow’s approach.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt welcomed the ceasefire proposal but emphasized, “President Trump wants a permanent truce to end the bloodshed.” Meanwhile, Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia’s lower house, expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s willingness to comply, stating, “I doubt Zelenskyy will support our president’s decision.” Analysts argue that Putin’s move is strategic, aimed at bolstering Russia’s battlefield position while polishing its international image. The brief pause, however, is unlikely to resolve the deep-rooted conflict.

The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of Putin’s motives, especially after Trump’s call for tougher measures like banking sanctions to curb the war’s toll. With both sides trading blame—Russia accusing Ukraine of ignoring peace offers and Ukraine alleging Russian aggression—the ceasefire’s effectiveness remains uncertain. As the world watches, this temporary halt underscores the complexity of achieving lasting peace in Ukraine.