Russia's Three-Day Ceasefire Begins as Ukraine Demands Longer Truce

dpa
(TNS)

Moscow (dpa) — A unilateral ceasefire declared by Moscow came into effect just after midnight, Russian state news agency TASS reported early on Thursday.

The 72-hour pause is set to last until midnight Saturday-Sunday (2100 GMT Saturday).

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the ceasefire to coincide with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which commemorate the end of World War II. The event is marked each year with a military parade on Moscow’s Red Square.

However, Ukraine has dismissed the move as symbolic and continues to push, along with the United States, for a minimum 30-day ceasefire.

“Our proposal for a halt to the strikes, for a ceasefire of at least 30 days, still stands,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Wednesday.

“We are not withdrawing this proposal, as it offers a real chance for diplomacy,” Zelensky said.

“But it is Russia that the world sees giving no answer – no response except for new strikes,” the Ukrainian president added.

Unlike in previous nights, no air raid sirens were initially reported in Ukraine warning of incoming Russian drones or missiles.

Moscow, meanwhile, gave no initial information on whether there had been further Ukrainian drone attacks.

Russia is set to hold its annual Victory Day military parade on Friday, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. Foreign dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend the event in Moscow.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years.