Putin announces 3-day truce from May 8, Kyiv wants it now

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in May in the war with Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two.

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The Kremlin said the 72-hour ceasefire would run on May 8, May 9 - when Putin will host international leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping for lavish celebrations to commemorate victory over Nazi Germany and May IO.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in response, said: "If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th?"

A ceasefire should be “real, not just for a parade,” he posted on X.

The White House said President Donald Trump wanted a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

"While President Trump welcomes Vladimir Putin's willingness to pause the conflict, the president has been very clear he wants a permanent ceasefire and to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution,” said National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.

Against a background of increasing US impatience, Putin's move appeared aimed at signalling that Russia is still interested in peace-something that Ukraine and its European allies dispute.

"All military actions are suspended for this period. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example,” the Kremlin said in a statement on the May 8-10 ceasefire.

“In the event of violations by the Ukrainian side, Russia's armed forces will give an adequate and effective response.”