On Monday, April 28, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine, as stated by AP News. The ceasefire will start on May 8, 2025, and run until the end of May 10, 2025. The Kremlin announced this ceasefire will commence based on “humanitarian grounds” and will mark the 80 year anniversary of Moscow’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, the greatest secular holiday in Russia.
This most recent announcement comes after the Kremlin allowed a 30-hour ceasefire in order for both countries to celebrate Easter. According to CNN, Ukraine hesitantly agreed, but later accused Russia of launching over 2900 attacks along the frontlines. Russia responded by stating that Ukraine also broke the truce. Even before the Easter truce, the Trump administration initiated a 30-day truce between the two nations. However, both sides accused the other of breaking the truce numerous times.
Al Jazeera states that on April 26, 2025, many world leaders attended Pope Francis’ funeral. At the funeral, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines. It is unknown what was said, but both sides called the meeting “productive.” Following this meeting, Trump became much more critical of Russian aggression, telling Putin to “stop shooting” and demanding he sign an agreement. President Trump stated that he has doubts about Putin’s sincerity in pursuing a deal, as Russian forces have continued to strike civilian areas of Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles while peace talks continue. Many speculate that Putin’s ceasefire announcement was made because of these comments.
Before Putin’s announcement, Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, posted saying that Russia continuing its attacks went against its claims to want peace. Ukraine responded swiftly after the Kremlin’s announcement. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine is willing to agree to a full ceasefire, but scolded Russia for waiting. Sybiha insisted, “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately.” Zelensky dismissed the ceasefire, reiterating his opinion that they should not wait until May 8.
Since war in Ukraine broke out in 2022, The Wall Street Journal estimates over 1 million people have been killed in the conflict. While this ceasefire might help slow the bloodshed, many are skeptical due to past ceasefire violations. Reuters stated that before he died, Pope Francis insisted that the countries have the courage to negotiate. His words of wisdom ring out among the world in hopes that one day, these countries will realize that there may not be a winner and negotiating is the only way to stop the ongoing war.
