Vladimir Putin Announces Three-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine: To Commemorate WWII

In a surprising move, Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day “humanitarian” ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 11, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a private meeting at the Vatican during Pope Francis’ funeral, where they discussed potential paths toward peace negotiations.

Symbolic Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Clashes

According to the Kremlin, “all military actions will cease” during the specified period, and Russia is urging Ukraine to follow suit.

However, previous temporary ceasefires—such as the recent Easter truce—have seen thousands of violations by Russian forces, fueling skepticism about the sincerity of these initiatives.

The meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the Vatican was described as “highly productive” by the White House.

Trump voiced frustration over Russia’s continued missile attacks on Kyiv, which recently killed at least 12 civilians, and hinted at the possibility of stricter sanctions, including “banking or secondary sanctions,” if hostilities persist.

Heavy Losses and Ongoing Negotiations

Since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has suffered significant losses. In February 2025, President Zelensky reported that 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and over 390,000 wounded in combat.

On the other side, Russia has reportedly suffered approximately 874,560 casualties—including both killed and wounded—according to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, as of February 2025.

During the Vatican meeting, Trump and Zelensky discussed the possibility of a peace agreement.

Trump had previously suggested that Ukraine consider ceding Crimea to Russia as part of a deal, but this proposal was rejected by Zelensky.

Trump later expressed disappointment over Putin’s continued aggression, suggesting that Russia may not be genuinely interested in ending the war.

Although the announced ceasefire may offer a brief respite, uncertainty remains about its implementation and duration.

The coming days will reveal whether this pause could lead to more meaningful peace talks or if it is merely another temporary gesture in a prolonged conflict.

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