War in Ukraine: Putin's Ceasefire Fizzles Out - Kyiv and Moscow Accuse Each Other of Violations
Violations Abound in Putin's Truce: Kyiv and Moscow Detail Multiple Breaches - Moscow and Kiev express disappointment over numerous breaches in Putin's ceasefire agreement
Vladimir Putin's declared ceasefire in the fight between Ukraine and Russia is facing backlash, according to reports from Kyiv. Saying, "Our military data shows Russian forces are still assaulting along the entire front line," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha wrote on the X platform. The Russian military has reportedly violated the ceasefire more than 700 times since midnight.
Despite this, the Ministry of Defense in Moscow maintains that the Russian army is sticking to the three-day ceasefire ordered by Putin. The Russian military is only responding to Ukrainian attacks, as per their statement. Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov mentioned that the observance of the ceasefire depends on how the situation unfolds. He confirmed that there are constant talks with the USA for a resolution to the conflict, sometimes daily.
It seems that the leadership in Kyiv has not openly agreed to the ceasefire. However, there have been reports that the Ukrainian military forces have received orders for a ceasefire from Kyiv. Ukrainian opposition MP Oleksiy Honcharenko shared on Telegram that despite some conflicting statements, Ukraine is privately adhering to the three-day ceasefire.
The claims of both parties are yet to be verified by independent sources. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for more than three years.
Soldiers are only allowed to return fire in three areas known as Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region and southern Ukraine, according to public broadcast. Yet, further artillery fire and drone attacks have come in from the Russian side in the battlefield.
The ceasefire declared by Putin commenced at the start of Thursday. It is set to last for 72 hours - including Saturday. This aligns with the days on which Russia commemorates its victory over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in 1945. The traditional military parade on Red Square in Moscow is scheduled for this Friday, a display of power that Moscow views as significant. The 9th of May is the most important holiday in Russia.
Ukraine insists on a 30-day ceasefire for peace talks. Ukraine has repeated its demand for a 30-day ceasefire during a series of talks with Western security advisors. "A complete and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step towards a just and lasting peace," wrote Kyiv's chief of staff Andriy Yermak on Telegram. The ceasefire declared by Moscow is seen as a manipulation and a means to ensure the security of the military parade in Moscow.
The discussions with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Keith Kellogg, French President’s advisor Emmanuel Bonne, British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell, and new Chancellor’s advisor Günter Sautter also took place. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha attended the discussions.
According to Jermak, strong actions were also discussed if Russia declines a ceasefire. A 30-day ceasefire would be a test of Russia's sincerity. "If Moscow truly wants peace, it's time to act," Jermak added. In case of an exacerbation, a response would be necessary.
Ukraine
- War
- Ceasefire
- Moscow
- Kyiv
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
- Andriy Yermak
- Military
- World War II
- Yuri Ushakov
- USA
- Kursk
- Andriy Yermak
Enrichment:
Underlying Dynamics: As of early May 2025, Ukraine and Russia have not fully adhered to the ceasefire declared by Russia on Victory Day (May 8, 2025). Both sides have accused each other of violations in several hotspots. This ongoing confrontation reflects a recurring pattern where ceasefires are declared and swiftly contested or violated, with diplomatic efforts continually attempting but failing to secure a lasting halt in hostilities.
Latest Ceasefire Status and Violations: Russia had declared a unilateral ceasefire to start at 0000 Moscow time on May 8, 2025. Ukrainian sources reported Russian attacks continuing in the Lyman and Kherson directions both before and after the ceasefire began. The Ukrainian General Staff reported multiple Russian attacks near Vilne Pole, Novosilka, and Novopil on May 7 and 8, making it unclear if these attacks violated the timing of the ceasefire. Russia was also accused of striking civilian infrastructure in the Kherson area on May 8, a ceasefire violation. On the other hand, Russian sources and a Russian milblogger accused Ukrainian forces of violating the ceasefire by engaging in combat near the Antonivsky Bridge on May 8. The frontline in the Kherson region remains mostly static with distant combat reported, signaling ongoing hostilities despite the announced ceasefire.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts for a New Ceasefire: On May 10, 2025, Ukraine and its European allies—including France, Germany, the UK, and Poland—publicly demanded that Russia agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, 2025. This ceasefire would halt fighting on land, sea, and air. The leaders of these countries, accompanied by Ukrainian President Zelensky, met in Kyiv to discuss this proposal and pledged to apply further sanctions on Russia if it refused to comply. A joint statement from the coalition emphasized that monitoring the ceasefire would be feasible with US coordination, and the ceasefire was considered a realistic and necessary goal to support peace talks. Despite these demands and diplomatic pressure, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov formally rejected the call for a 30-day ceasefire as of May 10, 2025.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget for the period 2000-06, as diplomatic efforts escalate regarding the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine and the violation of Putin's ceasefire. On Thursday, Putin agreed to a three-day ceasefire, but the general-news reported continuous violations from both Kyiv and Moscow, with respective accusations trade between them. Despite this, both parties have confirmed engaging in constant politics with the USA for a resolution to the conflict. The ceasefire, though disputed, is seen as crucial for the upcoming peace talks.
