Moscow: Russia declared a ceasefire with Ukraine for May 8-9 'in honor of the celebration of the Soviet people's victory in the Great Patriotic War.'

According to Anadolu Agency, the Russian Defense Ministry expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate the ceasefire gesture. In a statement shared on Telegram, the ministry emphasized that Russia would take 'all necessary' measures to ensure the safety of the celebrations. The statement referenced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks about potential threats to Moscow on May 9.

The ministry warned that any attempt by the Kyiv regime to disrupt the 81st anniversary of the Great Patriotic War would result in a 'retaliatory, massive missile strike on the center of Kyiv.' Russia claimed it had refrained from such actions in the past for humanitarian reasons and advised civilians and foreign diplomatic staff in Kyiv to leave the city promptly.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on Moscow's announcement of a two-day ceasefire. Earlier, President Zelenskyy noted that discussions on a potential ceasefire for May 9 occurred between the United States and Russia, without involving Ukrainian officials. He stated that no official ceasefire offer had been made to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also indicated that Ukrainian drones might fly over Moscow on May 9, coinciding with Russia's planned military parade for Victory Day. During the 8th European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Armenia, Zelenskyy remarked that Russia, for the first time, might not hold a full-scale military equipment parade, suggesting Moscow's diminished strength.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently proposed a ceasefire during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, who reportedly endorsed the idea, as per a Russian presidential aide for foreign affairs, Yury Ushakov.