KYIV, Ukraine (AP) 鈥 Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8-10 to mark the World War II Victory Day, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration decides whether a deal to end the more than three-year war is within reach.
The Kremlin said that the truce will start at 0000 on May 8 (2100 GMT May 7) and last through the end of May 10. The Kremlin said that Putin ordered the full cessation of hostilities on 鈥渉umanitarian grounds鈥 to mark the May 9 holiday celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Up until now, Putin had refused to accept a complete unconditional ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies to Ukraine and Ukraine鈥檚 mobilization effort.
Just before the ceasefire announcement, Ukraine and Russia targeted each other with long-range strikes. The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces downed 119 Ukrainian drones overnight, most of them over Russia鈥檚 Bryansk border region. In Ukraine, air raid sirens rang out across the country Monday morning. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Rubio says this week is 鈥榲ery critical鈥
The outcome of by Trump鈥檚 administration to swiftly end the fighting remains unclear, clouded by conflicting claims and doubts about how far each side might be willing to compromise amid deep hostility and mistrust.
The clock is ticking on Washington鈥檚 engagement in efforts to resolve Europe鈥檚 biggest conflict since World War II that has cost tens of thousands of lives.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that this week would be 鈥渧ery critical.鈥 The U.S. needs to 鈥渕ake a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in,鈥 he said on NBC鈥檚 鈥淢eet the Press.鈥
American military aid has been crucial for Ukraine鈥檚 war effort, and further help could be at risk if the Trump administration walks away from attempts to end the war.
Trump's doubts over Putin
Trump said at the weekend he harbors in pursuing a deal, as Russian forces have continued to with cruise and ballistic missiles while the talks have proceeded.
But on Friday, Trump described a brokered settlement on the war as 鈥渃lose.鈥
Western European officials have accused the Kremlin of dragging its feet on peace talks so that Russian forces, which are bigger than Ukraine鈥檚 and have battlefield momentum, can capture more Ukrainian land.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the war in a phone call with Rubio on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The two diplomats focused on 鈥渃onsolidating the emerging prerequisites for starting negotiations,鈥 the statement said, without offering further details.
Russia has effectively rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting by imposing far-reaching conditions. Ukraine has accepted it, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.
A French diplomatic official said at the weekend that Trump, Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed 鈥渢o pursue in the coming days the work of convergence鈥 to obtain 鈥渁 solid ceasefire.鈥
The diplomat said a truce is a 鈥減rior condition for a peace negotiation that respects the interest of Ukraine and the Europeans.鈥
The official was not authorized to be publicly named in accordance with French presidential policy.
Ukraine unwilling to give up land
Ukraine, meanwhile, has balked at the possibility of in return for peace, which Washington has indicated could be necessary.
A key point of leverage for Ukraine could be a deal with Washington that grants .
Ukraine and the United States have made progress on a mineral agreement, with both sides agreeing that American aid provided so far to Kyiv will not be taken into account under the terms of the deal, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Sunday.
鈥淲e have good progress,鈥 he said after talks with U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington.
鈥淭he main thing is that we clearly defined our red lines: The agreement must comply with Ukraine鈥檚 Constitution, legislation, and European commitments, and must be ratified by Parliament,鈥 Shmyhal said.
The war that broke out after Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022 has developed a significant international dimension, further complicating negotiations.
Putin on Monday for sending what the U.S. estimates are thousands of troops to help defeat Ukraine, as well as allegedly supplying artillery ammunition.
Iran has also helped Russia in the war, with Shahed drones, and China has sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that Moscow can use to make weapons, Western officials say.
The U.S. and Europe have been Kyiv's biggest backers.
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