Putin Declares Temporary Ukraine Ceasefire from May 8 to 11

• Apr 29, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine that will last from May 8 to May 11.

According to a statement from the Kremlin, the pause in fighting has been ordered “based on humanitarian considerations” and coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, which commemorate the end of World War Two. The Russian government expressed hope that Ukraine would also observe the ceasefire.

The Kremlin warned, however, that if Ukraine violates the ceasefire, Russian forces would deliver what it described as an “adequate and effective response.” The statement also reiterated Russia’s position that it remains open to peace talks without preconditions. It emphasized the need to address what Moscow calls the “root causes” of the Ukraine conflict and called for “constructive interaction” with international partners.

This is not the first time Russia has announced a ceasefire. A similar truce, lasting 30 hours, was declared over the Easter period. Although both Russia and Ukraine reported a decrease in fighting during that time, each side accused the other of carrying out hundreds of violations.

The latest announcement comes at a time when international pressure to end the war is increasing. The United States described this week as “very critical” for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. has reportedly been trying to facilitate talks, although it has also warned that it may withdraw its involvement if it sees no progress.

The war began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, Russian forces have taken control of around 20% of Ukrainian territory. This includes Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.

The human cost of the war continues to rise. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed or injured, with the majority being military personnel on both sides. As the conflict enters its third year, international observers remain uncertain about whether temporary ceasefires like this one can lead to lasting peace.