Putin’s three-day ceasefire isn’t a genuine move towards peace, but Ukraine has to play along

By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

The Russian leader, Vladmir Putin, has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine to commence on May 8, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the second world war. The Kremlin says “all hostilities will be suspended” during this period and has made it clear it expects Ukraine to follow suit.

Ukraine responded by calling for an immediate month-long ceasefire and questioned Russia’s commitment…

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