After Putin calls for three-day ceasefire, Trump reiterates demand for permanent Ukraine truce

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine starting May 8. Moscow says the pause in fighting is for humanitarian reasons and will coincide with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9.

The Kremlin said all military actions will stop from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11. The declaration came Monday and has drawn immediate criticism from Ukrainian officials, who questioned its timing and intent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the offer, calling it a political maneuver rather than a genuine step toward peace.

“This is not a true ceasefire,” Zelensky said Monday in a post on X. “It’s just another attempt to manipulate the world and deceive the United States.”

The United States has proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has agreed to. Putin has yet to accept the plan.

White House officials said they welcome any pause in the fighting but stressed the need for a lasting agreement.

“President Trump wants a permanent ceasefire,” said National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes. “He supports a full resolution to end this war.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the coming days as “very critical” for peace efforts. He said the U.S. will continue pushing both sides to reach a deal.

Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, also thanked President Trump for backing a complete ceasefire. He emphasized that only an “unconditional and comprehensive” halt to violence would be acceptable.

“Why wait until May 8 if peace is the goal?” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked in a statement. “Ukraine is ready to start a 30-day ceasefire now.”

This isn’t the first time a temporary truce has unraveled. On April 19, the Kremlin announced a 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which both sides agreed to. Yet, according to Ukraine’s military, Russia launched more than 2,900 attacks during that short window.

The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based research group, said Russia used the Easter truce to its advantage. The group claims Russian forces launched reconnaissance missions and shelled Ukrainian positions during the supposed break.

“Putin refuses any ceasefire unless it helps his military,” the institute said in a Monday report.

Ukrainian forces on the ground have voiced similar frustrations. A senior officer in Ukraine’s Security Service, known by the call sign Bankir, said Russian activity didn’t stop during Easter.

“There were drones in the air, and artillery didn’t slow down,” Bankir told CNN. “It was a fake ceasefire. Just words, not action.”

Civilian casualties also continue to mount. Since April 19, at least 62 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 290 injured, according to a CNN review of official data.

President Trump, who recently returned from Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, also weighed in Monday. He met briefly with Zelensky at the Vatican over the weekend. Both leaders described their meeting as constructive.

Trump, facing pressure to meet his 100-day peace deadline, is urging Putin to finalize a deal.

“I believe we’re close to the terms,” Trump said. “Putin should stop the violence and sign now.”

The Kremlin’s proposed ceasefire aligns with its domestic calendar. Victory Day on May 9 marks Russia’s win over Nazi Germany in 1945. Analysts believe Putin wants calm for the national holiday and may use the break for military preparation.

The Institute for the Study of War warns that Russia may use the May 8–11 window as it did in April. “We expect them to regroup and plan future assaults,” the group said.

Despite global calls for peace, trust remains low. Ukraine and its allies see Putin’s gesture as calculated and insufficient. Many believe only a permanent truce, not a three-day pause, can end the conflict.

As May approaches, the world watches to see whether the Kremlin will reconsider the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan