Moscow, 28 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.

"During this period, all hostilities will cease," a Kremlin statement said, adding Putin made the decision on "humanitarian grounds."

"Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example," the statement continued. Kiev has yet to publicly respond.

The move comes as US President Donald Trump, who has sought a swift end to the three-year-old war, has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin.

Trump, writing on Truth Social last week, urged Putin to "STOP!" after Moscow launched a major missile and drone attack on Kiev.

Trump then met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the funeral service for Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday. During his return journey to the United States, he accused the Russian leader of not seriously wanting to end the war and wondered whether Putin was "tapping me along." Trump criticized Putin's attacks on Ukrainian civilians and threatened Moscow with new sanctions.

MIA file photo