The US president has urged a longer truce amid Kiev’s reported refusal to even observe a 72-hour pause unilaterally declared by Moscow
US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that Moscow and Kiev will soon agree to a month-long truce following his call on Thursday with Vladimir Zelensky, amid a 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire that was unilaterally declared by Russia.
Starting at midnight on Thursday, Russian forces ceased hostilities and remained at previously occupied positions, only providing a “tit-for-tat reaction” to violations by Ukraine, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. Ukrainian troops reportedly carried out at least 488 attacks and attempted two incursions into Russia’s Kursk Region, according to the ministry.
Zelensky, who had previously dismissed the Russian peace initiative as “manipulation” while Kiev intensified drone strikes on Russian territory, held a phone call with Trump later in the day. After the call, he claimed that “Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire today, right from this moment,” but insisted that the truce should last for at least 30 days.
Trump calls for ‘unconditional ceasefire’ in Ukraine.
— kindtv (@kindtv110535) May 9, 2025
US President Donald Trump has expressed hope that Moscow and Kiev will soon agree to a month-long truce following his call on Thursday with Vladimir Zelensky, amid a 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire that was unilaterally… pic.twitter.com/AAJe5Fr7UV
