'Why wait for May 8?' ...Putin's truce pledge is met with scepticism

RUSSIAN despot Vladimir Putin has promised that his forces will stop shelling Ukraine for three days next month to commemorate a major anniversary.

- By Giles Sheldrick

Putin declared a ceasefire was set for May 8 to 10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Second World War.

But his pledge — days after he was accused of breaking an Easter truce — was met with scepticism by Ukraine.

The Kremlin said the cessation of hostilities, ordered on “humanitarian grounds”, would coincide with commemorations to mark the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, which is Russia’s biggest secular holiday.

But Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha challenged the declaration, saying: “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately.

“Why wait for May 8? If we can cease fire now, from any date and for 30 days, that is real, not just for a parade.”

The start of Russia’s promised 72-hour cessation in hostilities comes on the day Britain commemorates VE Day — the date on which the war ended in Europe.