Russia and Ukraine announce competing ceasefires around Victory Day
Russia and Ukraine have announced competing unilateral ceasefires in the war, with Moscow setting a two-day pause for May 8-9 and Kyiv saying it will observe its own truce from the night of May 5 to May 6.
The Russian defence ministry said the ceasefire was ordered by President Vladimir Putin to coincide with Victory Day commemorations in Moscow.
It said it expected Ukraine to follow the May 8-9 pause and warned of retaliation if attacks were launched during the period.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv had not received any official proposal from Russia before announcing its own ceasefire.
He said the Ukrainian pause would begin at 00:00 local time on the night of May 5-6.
The announcements matter because they create a standoff over whether either side will observe the other's terms, while fighting continues in a war that has now lasted four years.
The timing also places the ceasefire declarations around one of Russia's most significant annual military commemorations.
Russia said its pause was linked to the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the term it uses for World War II.
It said the military would take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the parade and commemorations.
Zelenskyy said human life was more valuable than any anniversary and urged Russian leaders to take real steps to end the war.
He also said Ukraine supports a lasting ceasefire and a peace settlement backed by security guarantees.
The Russian announcement followed a suggestion from Putin last week during a phone call with Donald Trump, according to the supplied rows.
