Putin’s order for three-day ceasefire with Ukraine enters force

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unilateral order for a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine took effect Thursday, timed to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. The Kremlin framed the move as a “test” of Kyiv’s willingness for peace, but Ukrainian officials rejected the gesture as mere political theatre and reiterated calls for a longer, 30-day truce.