Ukraine calls for permanent ceasefire after Russia announces three-day pause

Ukraine on Monday called for a permanent ceasefire in its war with Russia, after Russia President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day pause in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in Europe over Nazi Germany.

Putin announced that the pause would occur next month and run from midnight on May 7-8 and end at midnight on May 10-11. The actual victory day is May 8.

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha questioned why the temporary peace deal would need to take place next month instead of starting immediately, and claimed Ukraine has been ready for a permanent deal for at least a month.

"If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately," Sybiha posted to X. "Why wait until May 8th? If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days—so it is real, not just for a parade. Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire. And this is what we are constantly proposing, for at least 30 days."

The comment comes after the White House also pushed for Russia to agree to a permanent ceasefire, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters that the president is becoming "increasingly frustrated with leaders of both countries."

"The president has made it clear he wants to see a permanent ceasefire first, to stop the killings, stop the bloodshed," Leavitt said at a White House press briefing. "And while he remains optimistic he can strike a deal, he's also being realistic as well. Both leaders need to come to the table to negotiate their way out of this." 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.