Summary
Putin Declares 3-Day Ceasefire in May to Commemorate 80th Anniversary of WW2 Triumph is a notable event in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, in which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a surprise 72-hour ceasefire from May 8 to May 10, 2024. The truce was declared to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, a major Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The ceasefire was framed as a humanitarian gesture intended to honor the sacrifices of the war and to facilitate prisoner exchanges and the release of detainees during the solemn commemorations.
Victory Day holds profound cultural and political significance in Russia, symbolizing national pride, resilience, and historical memory of the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). Under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, the holiday has been increasingly utilized as a tool to bolster state legitimacy and to link Russia’s current military actions, particularly in Ukraine, to the historic fight against fascism. The 80th anniversary in 2024 was marked by grand ceremonies and military parades amid the ongoing conflict, reinforcing the dual role of Victory Day as both remembrance and political messaging.
Despite the official declaration, the ceasefire’s implementation faced immediate challenges, with reports of continued hostilities and mutual accusations of violations by both Russian and Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials expressed skepticism about Moscow’s intentions, noting ongoing attacks, especially in contested border regions. The ceasefire’s limited scope and fragile enforcement underscored the complexity of achieving meaningful peace amid entrenched hostilities and geopolitical tensions.
The announcement and conduct of the ceasefire sparked widespread international reactions and controversies. Western governments and Ukrainian authorities questioned its sincerity, viewing the truce partly as a propaganda move aligned with Victory Day celebrations. Analysts highlighted the difficulties in reconciling symbolic gestures tied to historical memory with concrete conflict resolution. The event illuminated broader geopolitical challenges and the enduring impact of World War II’s legacy on contemporary Russian statecraft and the Russia–Ukraine war.
Background
Victory Day, celebrated annually on May 9 in Russia, commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). This holiday is the most important national celebration in Russia, marked by grand military parades, public ceremonies, and widespread displays of patriotism. The festivities often include thousands of troops marching through Moscow’s Red Square, accompanied by military hardware such as tanks and missile launchers, and aerial displays of jets and helicopters—symbolizing the enduring legacy of the 1945 victory.
Victory Day has deep roots in Russian national identity and collective memory. It serves as an occasion not only to honor the massive sacrifices made during the war but also to reinforce a cohesive national narrative that links past and present. The event fosters a narrative template that shapes mental habits around Russia’s history and identity, emphasizing themes of resilience and victory over foreign enemies. Symbols such as the red-and-black St. George’s ribbon and Red Army garrison caps are commonly worn by participants and serve as visual affirmations of both historical remembrance and current political loyalty.
The holiday’s significance expanded following Vladimir Putin’s rise to power, as the Russian government increasingly promoted national history and commemorations as sources of state prestige and popular legitimacy. The 60th and 70th anniversaries of Victory Day in 2005 and 2015 were particularly notable, becoming among the largest public celebrations in post-Soviet Russia. The scale and spectacle of the parades serve not only to honor veterans but also to demonstrate military strength and bolster national pride.
Historically, Victory Day was first officially celebrated across the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of Germany’s surrender, which occurred late on May 8, 1945, but was recognized on May 9 according to Moscow time. During the Soviet era, the holiday was widely observed across all republics and the Eastern Bloc, although it became a non-working day only gradually, first in the Ukrainian SSR in 1963 and later in the Russian SFSR in 1965. Today, it continues to hold considerable cultural significance not only in Russia but also among Russian communities in other countries and former Soviet republics.
Victory Day celebrations have also taken on contemporary political dimensions, especially in the context of Russia’s ongoing military actions. The Kremlin has sought to frame current conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, within the historical narrative of World War II sacrifice and victory. This has sometimes led to the deployment of commemorative events as platforms for political messaging and national mobilization. Despite ongoing conflicts and tensions, Russian officials emphasize that Victory Day remains “the sacred day, the most important day” for the nation, resilient against any attempts to diminish its significance.
Announcement of the Ceasefire
On May 7, 2024, the Kremlin announced a surprise 72-hour ceasefire between Russian and Ukrainian forces, set to begin on May 8 and end on May 10. The truce was declared to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II and is observed on May 9 in Russia and several other former Soviet states. The Russian government emphasized that the ceasefire was based on humanitarian considerations and stated that “all hostilities” would be halted during this period.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the full cessation of hostilities on these “humanitarian grounds,” marking a rare moment of pause amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement followed intensified diplomatic efforts by the United States to broker a peace deal, although Putin had previously linked any unconditional ceasefire to conditions such as halting Western arms supplies to Ukraine and ending Ukraine’s mobilization efforts. Despite the declaration, details regarding the monitoring and enforcement of the ceasefire remained unclear, with no information provided on whether it would encompass airstrikes or continuous ground battles.
The ceasefire declaration also highlighted priorities such as the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children during the truce. However, the document did not address sanctions on Russia or security guarantees for Ukraine, instead indicating that European allies of Ukraine would be involved in the peace process.
The announcement was met with skepticism from Ukrainian officials, who noted that Russian forces continued attacks using Iranian-made drones even before the ceasefire began. Additionally, the Kremlin’s readiness for peace talks was reaffirmed, with a stated willingness to engage in dialogue aimed at resolving the root causes of the conflict without preconditions.
The ceasefire coincided with Moscow’s extensive Victory Day commemorations, which are of great symbolic importance to the Russian government and public. The 80th anniversary marked a particularly significant occasion, observed with large-scale ceremonies despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, international reactions to any participation in the Victory Day celebrations reflected the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.
Implementation of the Ceasefire
The three-day ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin was announced to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph in World War II. The Kremlin stated that the truce would begin at the start of May 8 and last until the end of May 10, during which “all hostilities” would cease on humanitarian grounds. This declaration was positioned as a gesture reflecting the solemnity of the Victory Day commemorations on May 9.
However, the implementation of the ceasefire faced immediate challenges. Just before the truce was set to take effect, both Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in long-range strikes against each other. The Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 119 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily over Russia’s Bryansk border region, while air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine on the morning of May 8. These attacks underscored the fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement.
Shortly before the ceasefire’s start, air raid sirens were also activated in Kyiv, and similar warnings recurred hours after the ceasefire was to end. Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that Russian assaults continued across multiple frontline sectors and that artillery fire had not ceased, leading to widespread skepticism about Moscow’s commitment to the truce. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted that the ceasefire did not apply to Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions—border areas where Ukrainian forces had conducted incursions and where fighting persisted during the ceasefire period.
These ongoing hostilities and mutual accusations of ceasefire violations cast doubt on the ceasefire’s effectiveness and durability from the outset. The limited scope and selective application of the ceasefire illustrated the broader challenges in reaching a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement amid the ongoing conflict.
Victory Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations and Symbolism
The 80th anniversary of Victory Day in 2025 is set to be a particularly significant occasion, with unprecedented efforts to honor both historical veterans and current military personnel involved in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The celebrations have traditionally featured large-scale military parades, patriotic speeches, and displays of Russia’s latest military hardware, underscoring the holiday’s dual role in commemorating the past and reinforcing national identity in the present. The St. George’s ribbon, a black and orange striped symbol, remains a prominent emblem of Victory Day, signifying both remembrance and support for the Russian government.
In recent years, Victory Day has evolved from a purely historical remembrance into a potent expression of national pride and state legitimacy, especially under Vladimir Putin’s leadership. Since the 2000s, the Russian government has actively promoted Victory Day as a source of national self-esteem, integrating popular culture and historical narratives to strengthen collective identity. The 60th and 70th anniversaries in 2005 and 2015 were among the largest public celebrations since the Soviet era, attracting world leaders and massive domestic participation, although Western leaders notably boycotted the 2015 event due to geopolitical tensions.
A distinctive element introduced more recently is the Immortal Regiment procession, where participants carry portraits of relatives who served or perished during WWII. This tradition has expanded internationally with Russian diasporas holding similar events globally. However, in 2023, some cities canceled these processions, possibly to avoid the public display of portraits of relatives who died in the Ukraine conflict, reflecting the complex interplay between historical memory and contemporary political realities.
The 80th anniversary will also feature unique contributions from traditional groups such as the Cossack voiskas of the Great Don, Kuban, and Terek regions, who are set to participate in the parade on Red Square, linking historical military heritage with current state narratives. Additionally, the government’s “Conversations about important things” propaganda campaign has included wartime veterans addressing participants of Russia’s so-called Special Military Operation in Ukraine, symbolically bridging the past and present defenders of the Fatherland.
While Victory Day celebrations continue to evoke deep patriotism, recent years have introduced elements of unease linked to Russia’s military engagements abroad. The holiday now not only honors the sacrifices of the past but also serves as a platform to promote contemporary military efforts, reinforcing national unity amid ongoing conflict and political challenges. This dual symbolism underscores the enduring importance of Victory Day as both a remembrance and a tool of statecraft in twenty-first-century Russia.
International Reactions
The announcement of a three-day ceasefire by Russian President Vladimir Putin in May, intended to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the World War II victory, elicited varied responses from the international community. U.S. officials engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts with Russia and Ukraine regarding a ceasefire and suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure in the Black Sea, although progress was complicated by the Kremlin’s stipulation that any ceasefire agreement be contingent upon the lifting of certain sanctions imposed on Russia. The United States continued “proximity talks” with Russian and Ukrainian representatives, highlighting the complexity and fragility of the negotiations.
European Union leaders expressed strong reservations about participating in Russia’s planned military celebrations on May 9. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas explicitly warned that attendance by European leaders at Moscow’s Victory Day events would be perceived negatively, emphasizing the need for solidarity with Ukraine in light of Russia’s ongoing full-scale war in Europe. Invitations extended by Russia to leaders from countries such as China, India, Brazil, Slovakia, and Serbia further underscored the geopolitical tensions surrounding the event.
Ukraine’s leadership remained skeptical of the ceasefire’s sincerity, citing continued Russian military operations along multiple frontlines and artillery fire, particularly in Russian border regions such as Kursk and Belgorod, where Ukrainian forces had recently launched incursions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized a lack of trust in Moscow’s declarations, highlighting ongoing hostilities despite the proposed truce.
The ceasefire proposal also addressed humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of prisoners of war, release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, with involvement from Ukraine’s European allies in the peace process. However, important issues such as sanctions on Russia and security guarantees for Ukraine were notably absent from the ceasefire documents, and ambiguity remained regarding the status of Ukrainian soldiers detained in Russia’s Kursk region.
Observers and analysts noted the complexity of resolving geopolitical security challenges while attempting to establish immediate peace measures. Some critics argued that negotiating broad security issues without first securing consensus on borders, disarmament, and guarantees had hindered progress. Meanwhile, concerns about Russia’s internal control over public perception were highlighted by commentators noting the state’s heightened sensitivity to protests or dissent, even during loyal events commemorating the war victory.
Impact and Aftermath
The announcement of the three-day ceasefire by Russian President Vladimir Putin, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of World War II Victory Day, was framed as a humanitarian gesture intended to honor the sacrifices made during the war and to commemorate a significant historical milestone. The Kremlin emphasized that all hostilities would cease during this period, aligning the truce with Russia’s broader effort to use historical memory as a legitimizing tool for its current military actions in Ukraine.
However, the ceasefire was met with skepticism from Ukrainian officials and Western observers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized the conditions imposed by Moscow, suggesting that the ceasefire was designed to prevent any meaningful change on the battlefield and to maintain the status quo for as long as possible. The limited nature of the truce, coupled with ongoing hostilities, raised doubts about the durability and sincerity of Russia’s commitment to peace.
The ceasefire highlighted the enduring tensions and complexities underlying the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been described as an imperial-style land grab by the West and Ukraine, while Russia frames the conflict as part of a larger existential struggle against Western influence. The 72-hour pause did little to alter the strategic realities on the ground, as Russian forces continued to control significant portions of Ukrainian territory, and peace talks remained stalled with conflicting demands from both sides.
More broadly, the ceasefire underscored the difficulty of translating symbolic gestures tied to historical remembrance into concrete progress toward conflict resolution. The invocation of World War II victories served both as a rallying cry within Russia and as a justification for ongoing military aggression, complicating prospects for lasting peace. Meanwhile, the global political landscape shaped by post-World War II rivalries, particularly between the United States and Russia, continues to influence the dynamics of the current conflict, reflecting deep-rooted geopolitical struggles that have persisted since the mid-twentieth century.
Criticism and Controversies
Putin’s declaration of a three-day ceasefire in May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II drew significant criticism from various quarters. Ukrainian officials condemned the move, viewing it with suspicion, while former U.S. President Donald Trump offered a muted and inconsistent response, vacillating between expressing confidence in Putin’s commitment to peace and threatening Russia with new sanctions should it fail to uphold the ceasefire.
Analysts and commentators also expressed skepticism regarding the sincerity and feasibility of the ceasefire. Viktor Muchnik, a former editor-in-chief of a Siber
Legacy and Historical Significance
Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, holds profound significance in Russia and several former Soviet republics as it commemorates the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. The holiday is deeply embedded in Russian national identity, symbolizing both the immense sacrifices made during World War II and the enduring pride in the victory known domestically as the Great Patriotic War. This historical memory serves not only as a solemn remembrance of past heroism but also as a potent unifying narrative that shapes collective identity and national resilience.
The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2025 was marked by extensive commemorative events orchestrated by the Russian government, with President Vladimir Putin declaring the year as the “Year of the Defender of the Fatherland”. These events included military-themed competitions, propaganda initiatives, and efforts to institutionalize historical narratives that link past victories with contemporary political and military objectives. By drawing direct parallels between the Soviet victory in 1945 and current Russian military actions, Putin sought to legitimize ongoing conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, framing them as a continuation of the historic fight against “Nazism”.
The observance of Victory Day continues to adapt, reflecting the complex interplay between memory and politics. For example, traditional elements such as the Immortal Regiment processions, where citizens carry portraits of relatives who served or died in World War II, were canceled in multiple cities during recent anniversaries. Some analysts suggest this was motivated by concerns that participants might include portraits of relatives who died in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, thereby highlighting Russia’s contemporary military losses.
The Kremlin’s declaration of a surprise 72-hour ceasefire in early May to coincide with Victory Day commemorations exemplifies the symbolic weight of the holiday. Framed as a humanitarian gesture, the ceasefire aimed to honor the memory of World War II sacrifices, although skepticism about its sincerity persisted amid continuing hostilities on several fronts. This juxtaposition underscores how Victory Day serves both as a moment of remembrance and as a tool for political messaging, reinforcing a militarized national identity that draws heavily on the legacy of World War II triumph.
The content is provided by Jordan Fields, Fact-Nest
