Moscow: Russia announced yesterday that the truce it proposed for May 8-10 aims to “test Kyiv’s readiness” for peace. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “The goal of the Easter truce proposed by Russia in April, as well as the current initiative to declare a truce during the celebrations of May 8, 9, and 10, is to test Kyiv’s readiness to find a path towards a lasting, long-term peace.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Peskov added to reporters, “The Ukrainian authorities’ reaction to Russia’s ceasefire initiative is a test of Ukraine’s readiness for peace. We will, of course, await decisive, not ambiguous, statements, and, most importantly, measures aimed at de-escalating the conflict during the official holidays.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire last Monday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Kremlin stated that the 72-hour ceasefire will last from May 8 to 10, as the Russian presidency hosts the leaders of several countries.