Putin announces three-day ceasefire during Victory Day celebrations in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with Victory Day celebrations, framing it as a humanitarian gesture. However, Ukrainian officials and analysts widely view the move as a manipulative ploy for propaganda and public relations rather than a genuine attempt at peace, with some suggesting it's designed to mask Moscow's intentions to continue the conflict. Ukrainian representatives have instead called for a more substantial, 30-day ceasefire, while others point out that any short-term truce falls short of meaningful conflict resolution. The Kremlin claims readiness to negotiate without preconditions, though skepticism remains high regarding Russia's motives, and there has been no official response from Kyiv. Analysts also note that Putin’s announcement may be aimed at influencing international perceptions, particularly in relation to recent U.S. diplomatic stances and peace proposals. Overall, the proposed truce is met with distrust and is seen as insufficient by Ukraine and its allies.