Russia has announced a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine, urging Kyiv to accept the pause, reported Al Jazeera.
President Vladimir Putin declared on Monday that Russian forces would halt fighting from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 10. The announcement comes as the United States increases pressure on Moscow to agree to a complete ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
The ceasefire coincides with Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, which marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II, on May 9.
In its statement, the Kremlin called on Kyiv to participate in the temporary truce but warned that any violations by Ukraine would result in a “swift and effective” response from Russian forces.
