Photo: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / AFP / Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine on Monday (April 28), set to begin at midnight local time on May 8 and end at midnight on May 11. This announcement comes shortly after President Donald Trump suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be willing to cede Crimea to Russia as part of a broader peace agreement.
The ceasefire coincides with Russia's "Victory Day," marking the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany. According to a statement from the Kremlin, all military actions will be suspended during this period, and Ukraine is expected to reciprocate. Any violations of the ceasefire will be met with a response.
Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Russia to "cease fire immediately" if it truly desires peace, questioning the need to wait until May 8. The ceasefire announcement follows discussions between Trump and Zelenskyy, where Trump expressed optimism about a potential peace deal.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outlined conditions for a lasting peace, including international recognition of Crimea and other annexed regions as Russian territory, the demilitarization of Ukraine, and the lifting of sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported continued shelling in several regions, including Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy, despite the ceasefire announcement.