Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire on Victory in Europe Day just days after launching a huge bomb attack on Kyiv, killing 12.
Russia has vowed to pause fighting in Ukraine from midnight on May 8 until May 11 over the bank holiday weekend as Europe is engulfed in celebrations marking the end of the Second World War.
The Kremlin has announced that Moscow "believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example".
"In case of violation of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will provide an adequate and effective response," it added.
The ceasefire will last three days
REUTERS
"The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace negotiations without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and constructive interaction with international partners."
The Russian President has previously committed to a 30-hour-long ceasefire over Easter which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the Kremlin of violating the agreement on almost 3,000 occasions.
The announcement of the short ceasefire has come after Donald Trump conducting talks with the Ukrainian leader in Rome ahead of Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday.
Last week, the President chastised Putin for launching missile strikes on Ukraine's capital.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote: ""Vladimir, STOP!" I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing
"Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!"
Last Thursday, Ukrainian official revealed that at least 12 died while more than 100 were left injured after Moscow launched a devastating attack on districts and residential areas scattered across the city.
Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to victims of April 24 Russian missile attack on Kyiv
GETTY
The White House has been attempting to negotiate a deal between Moscow and Kyiv through a series of diplomatic talks held in Washington and Riyadh.
However, Trump has declared that he would withdraw from the negotiating table if progress towards peace was hindered.
Since Putin's announcement of a new ceasefire, Ukrainians have exhibited a degree of hesitance, dubbing the declaration "another lie for Trump".
One journalist commented: "Putin’s promise will likely have nothing to do with a real ceasefire again."
