Russia’s declaration of a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire on “humanitarian” grounds has been criticised as an attempted “PR move” to “deceive the US”. Vladimir Putin announced the temporary ceasefire between May 8 and May 10, coinciding with Russia’s Victory Day, after effectively rejecting America’s proposal for a full and immediate 30-day stop in the fighting, which Ukraine reportedly accepted. But the Kremlin has attempted to shift blame for the ongoing conflict to Ukraine, echoing President Donald Trump’s claim that Kyiv “should never have started the war” before a recent pivot to anti-Russia rhetoric.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of the Russian Parliament, told state TV: “It is doubtful that Zelensky will support the decision of our president and accept the ceasefire.” However, Ukrainian politician Andrii Termark said Russia was running a campaign of “deceit” and could put an end to the fighting at any time. “Putin can give the order for his forces to stop,” he said. “But he does not do this in the hope of deceiving everyone.” Ukraine previously agreed to Putin’s proposal of a 30-hour ceasefire over Easter, but both sides accused the other of continuing attacks.

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