Putin springs surprise 3-day Ukraine truce

RUSSIA URGES KYIV TO FOLLOW, WARNS OF ACTION OVER VIOLATIONS

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a surprise three-day ceasefire from May 8-10, coinciding with Moscow’s World War II Victory Day commemorations, the Kremlin said yesterday.

Moscow said it expected Kyiv to issue a similar order, and that it was ready to respond to any violations of the possible halt in fighting.

Putin made a similar order to stop combat over Easter — a truce that both sides accused the other of violating hundreds of times, but it did lead to a temporary reduction in fighting.

“The Russian side is declaring a ceasefire during the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, from midnight on May 7-8 to midnight on May 10-11. All combat operations will be suspended during this period,” the Kremlin said in a statement.