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Moscow Declares Unilateral Ceasefire for May 9, Says Russia Will “Respond” If Attacked

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Moscow Declares Unilateral Ceasefire for May 9, Says Russia Will “Respond” If Attacked
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sits in front of a screen displaying Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the World Trade Center’s congress center in Moscow on December 17, 2020. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has announced that a 72-hour ceasefire proposed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin will begin at midnight on May 7, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing on May 6.

Additionally, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned on May 6 that Russia would deliver an “adequate response” if Ukraine continues to strike during the ceasefire period.

“In the night between May 7 and 8, a 72-hour ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin on April 27 in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory will come into effect,” Zakharova said.

The unilateral truce was timed to coincide with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II.

“The initiative remains in force, and President Putin has issued the corresponding order,” Peskov told Russian state media.

He added, “Russian forces are expected to observe the ceasefire, but if there is no reciprocity and attempts to strike Russian positions or facilities continue, there will be an immediate and proportionate response.”

Earlier, Russia dismissed Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, opting instead to push forward with its own limited three-day truce timed around the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the Russian offer as performative and reiterated Kyiv’s support for a longer, unconditional ceasefire plan, as proposed by the United States.

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