Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency ceasefire in the Ukraine war.
The Kremlin announced that the ceasefire would start on May 8 morning and last until May 11, the dates commemoration ceremonies celebrate the end of World War Two.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, meanwhile, urged an urgent full, longer-term ceasefire of "at least 30 days."
US President Donald Trump, who has been trying to negotiate a peace accord, expressed hope to see a lasting end to the war. The White House has corroborated Trump's declaration that he wishes to see a permanent end to the war.
The Kremlin previously declared a 30-hour Easter truce. In spite of the slight reduction in fighting, both sides blamed the other for violating many ceasefires.
Ceasefires have been attempted over 20 times in Ukraine but have all ultimately failed, some after merely minutes of existence.
The most recent effort, during Easter, was narrow-scope and involved merely a marginal reduction in fighting, each side accusing the other of ceasefire violations. In a Monday statement, the Kremlin described the ceasefire as "declared on humanitarian grounds."
A section of the statement that was translated said: "Russia believes an example must be made of the Ukrainian side. If Ukraine will violate the ceasefire, the Russian Federation's Armed Forces will respond accordingly and effectively."
It also reiterated Russia's readiness to engage in peaceful negotiations without condition, to address the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis and engage in constructive dialogue with world partners.
Reaching back, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha said: "If Russia really needs peace, it should fire the guns now." He also said that it doesn't make sense to postpone the ceasefire until May 8, saying a 30-day ceasefire can be implemented today and it will be "real, not just for a parade."
Sybiha mirrored Ukraine's desire to support a "permanent, sustainable, and comprehensive ceasefire," mirroring the nation's new repeated call for a minimum 30-day ceasefire.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Trump was becoming "ever more frustrated with leaders of both countries." She said Trump has declared publicly he supports a permanent ceasefire in a bid to "end the killing, end the bloodshed."
The announcement comes amid what the US has called a "very critical" week for Russia-Ukraine peace talks. The US has been negotiating an agreement between the two nations but warned that the Trump administration will walk away from the talks if there is no result.
Putin's remark is seen as trying to demonstrate Russia's peaceful character. Putin wants Trump to take notice of this gesture, especially after Ukraine showed interest in adopting a 30-day truce presented by Washington.
This is while the US president has increasingly become frustrated with Russia's unyielding bombardment of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022, and is now controlling about 20% of the land of Ukraine, including annexed Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Hundreds of thousands of people, most of them being soldiers, have been slain or wounded ever since on either side.
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