By Charles Pemu 
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unilateral call for a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine began Thursday, coinciding with Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations and the arrival of key world leaders. However, Ukraine dismissed the truce as a “cynical ploy,” insisting it had not agreed to the proposal and reiterating its call for a longer, 30-day ceasefire.
Despite the Kremlin’s claim of calm, Ukraine reported Russian airstrikes in the eastern Sumy region early Thursday. Meanwhile, aerial attacks from both sides hours before the truce led to airport closures and casualties.
Putin framed the temporary pause as a humanitarian gesture, but Kyiv remains skeptical, citing past violations during similar ceasefires. “We are not withdrawing our call for peace. But Russia shows no signs of goodwill,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Victory Day events in Moscow, attended by leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Lula da Silva, unfolded under heavy security. The Kremlin said the ceasefire would be upheld unless provoked.
As war drags into its third year, pressure mounts for direct negotiations, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance urging both nations to restart talks. Yet with trust at historic lows, hopes for lasting peace remain slim.