The Kremlin said the 72-hour ceasefire would run on May 8, May 9 – when Putin will host international leaders on Moscow’s Red Square, including Chinese President Xi Jinping – and May 10.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has so far appeared to rule out such a brief ceasefire, saying he is only ready to sign up to a ceasefire that would last at least 30 days, an idea Putin has said needs a lot of work before it could become a reality.
Asked what Russia would do if Zelensky did not sign up to the three-day ceasefire, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Of course, President Putin’s initiative on a temporary ceasefire for the public holidays is valid, and relevant instructions have been given (to the military) by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief,” said Peskov.
“There will be a ceasefire, but in the event that there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime and attempts to strike our positions or our facilities continue, then an appropriate response will be given immediately.” Peskov said that Kyiv had not yet given any indication it was ready to sign up to the proposed ceasefire.
