German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has voiced strong doubts over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine, scheduled from May 8 to May 10.
In an interview with Germany’s RTL/ntv on Monday night, Pistorius warned that such gestures from the Kremlin often lack substance, referencing previous ceasefire declarations that were swiftly broken. He cited the Easter truce earlier this year, which was marred by accusations of violations from both Russian and Ukrainian forces.
"Europe’s security has been a top priority for the United States since the end of World War II," Pistorius said, adding that he believed Washington’s commitment would endure. However, he underscored that recent history has shown unilateral announcements from Moscow frequently fail to lead to real de-escalation on the ground.
He also said he is counting on continued US support for Ukraine's defense against Russia, emphasizing that the war affects the security of Europe as a whole.
Responding to concerns that the US might reduce its military and financial support for Ukraine, Pistorius said: "We will do everything we can to compensate, but first we will campaign for the Americans to stay on board." He also compared a recent US peace proposal to a de facto Ukrainian surrender.
Putin Announced Three-Day Ceasefire
President Vladimir Putin has announced a three-day ceasefire. As per the statement from the Kremlin, Russia has declared a truce period from May 8 to May 11. Moscow has also called on Ukraine to declare the same.
As per a report by the Moscow Times, Putin has unilaterally called for this ceasefire in honour of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day.
Victory Day marks the end of the Second World War. In Russia, the day is marked on May 8, marking victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.
As per the Kremlin statement, the ceasefire has been declared "out of humanitarian considerations."
