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Ukraine Ceasefire Takes Effect Ahead of Russia’s May 8-9 Victory Day
(MENAFN) A unilateral ceasefire declared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took hold at midnight (2100 GMT), activating two full days before a separate Russian-announced truce tied to the May 8–9 Victory Day commemorations.
Zelenskyy formally declared the halt to hostilities on Monday, stating the ceasefire would take effect "starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6" in Kyiv local time. Justifying the move, he said "human life is far more valuable than any anniversary celebration."
The Ukrainian announcement came on the heels of a Russian Defense Ministry declaration of a temporary truce spanning May 8–9 "in honor of the celebration of the Soviet people's victory in the Great Patriotic War." In a Telegram post, Moscow warned it would take "all necessary" measures to safeguard security throughout the celebrations and threatened a "massive" retaliatory missile strike should the period be disrupted.
Despite the overlapping timelines, Zelenskyy pushed back on any suggestion of coordination, noting that Ukraine had received no formal communication from Moscow regarding the "cessation of hostilities" it had announced for its Victory Day observances.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's presidential office, reinforced Kyiv's position on Tuesday, asserting that the ceasefire put forward by Ukraine reflects its "genuine desire for peace" and pledging that Ukraine would maintain the truce should Russia choose to reciprocate.
Budanov further stressed that Zelenskyy's proposal is not constrained by dates "for the sake of imposing ideological dogmas, but for the sake of preserving human life and restoring security."
Zelenskyy formally declared the halt to hostilities on Monday, stating the ceasefire would take effect "starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6" in Kyiv local time. Justifying the move, he said "human life is far more valuable than any anniversary celebration."
The Ukrainian announcement came on the heels of a Russian Defense Ministry declaration of a temporary truce spanning May 8–9 "in honor of the celebration of the Soviet people's victory in the Great Patriotic War." In a Telegram post, Moscow warned it would take "all necessary" measures to safeguard security throughout the celebrations and threatened a "massive" retaliatory missile strike should the period be disrupted.
Despite the overlapping timelines, Zelenskyy pushed back on any suggestion of coordination, noting that Ukraine had received no formal communication from Moscow regarding the "cessation of hostilities" it had announced for its Victory Day observances.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's presidential office, reinforced Kyiv's position on Tuesday, asserting that the ceasefire put forward by Ukraine reflects its "genuine desire for peace" and pledging that Ukraine would maintain the truce should Russia choose to reciprocate.
Budanov further stressed that Zelenskyy's proposal is not constrained by dates "for the sake of imposing ideological dogmas, but for the sake of preserving human life and restoring security."
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