Putin and Zelensky each announce different dates for two-day ceasefire

Advertising Putin and Zelensky each announce different dates for two-day ceasefire Europe

Russia threatened on Monday to launch a "massive missile strike" on Kyiv if Ukraine breached a two-day truce initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin to coincide with World War II commemorations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Moscow's threats saying Kyiv would observe its own ceasefire between May 5 to May 6.

Issued on: 04/05/2026 - 20:40Modified: 04/05/2026 - 21:54

1 min Reading time Share By: FRANCE 24

Russia on Monday declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between May 8-9, when Moscow marks its annual World War II Victory Day commemorations, and threatened a "massive missile strike" on Kyiv if Ukraine violated it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin first proposed the truce last week, during a phone call with US counterpart Donald Trump.

Read moreRussia scales down WW2 victory parade due to Ukrainian threat

"In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8-9, 2026 ... We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit," the Russian defence ministry said in a post on state-backed messaging app MAX.

"If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv."

"We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly," it added.

Ukraine had sought advice from Washington last week about Russia's offer of a truce.

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But on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin's threats saying it would observe its own truce with Russia between May 5-6.

"As of today, there has been no official appeal to Ukraine regarding the modality of a cessation of hostilities that is being claimed on Russian social media," Zelensky said in a post on X.

"In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 (2100 GMT) on the night of May 5-6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect," he added.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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