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As Europe commemorates the 81st anniversary of World War II's end, Russia announced a two-day ceasefire in Ukraine for Victory Day, while the Netherlands honored British veterans on Liberation Day. Germany outlined plans to become Europe's leading conventional military power. Ukrainian leaders expressed skepticism over the truce, citing recent attacks.
GB NewsRussian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral two-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to observe Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the pause would run from 0001 on May 9 to 0001 on May 11 and would allow safe commemorations.
According to NBC News, the announcement followed a phone conversation last week between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The ceasefire aligns with Russia's major national holiday on May 9. This year, authorities cited increased Ukrainian drone attacks as the reason to forgo displaying military hardware during the traditional parade in Moscow. Mobile internet services were cut in parts of Moscow ahead of the events.
NPR reported that Russia declared a truce in Ukraine to mark Victory Day. The Russian Defense Ministry said the measure was intended to allow both sides to honor the memory of those who fought in the Great Patriotic War.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Yerevan, Armenia, proposed that any ceasefire begin three days earlier. He stated that Ukraine would reciprocate a genuine ceasefire but accused Russia of violating past truces, including one agreed during Easter last month.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has previously reported Russian attacks on energy facilities during agreed pauses. Zelenskyy emphasized that any negotiations must involve Ukraine directly and noted that no official proposal had reached his government.
No publicly released evidence in the source bundle documents the specific casualty figures or attack details cited in some reporting on overnight strikes. The vessels' operators and exact targeting details have not been publicly detailed in the provided sources beyond general references to energy infrastructure.
The commemorations occur as Russia's war in Ukraine enters its fourth year since the 2022 invasion. Ukrainian forces have intensified long-range strikes inside Russia. " Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated in a recent army training exercise. Discussions among leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have addressed integrating defense industries.
In the Netherlands, World War II veterans were honoured by thousands of people celebrating Liberation Day. A 103-year-old veteran named Robbie Hall lit a flame of liberation at midnight. Alfred Cooley, who had turned 100 four days earlier, and Dick Goodwin, vice president of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, spoke about the events and the charity's commitment to such trips.
Le Monde reported that Putin's popularity has declined amid economic hardships, the protracted Ukraine conflict, and internet shutdowns, with parliamentary elections five months away.
nypost.comIran has agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country. The U.S. vice president said the move is part of ongoing talks that also cover reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
middleeasteye.netNewsweek reported that CCTV aired video of the DF-17 launch from the Gobi Desert. The footage included a close-up of the hypersonic glide vehicle. The Pentagon has assessed China as holding the world's leading hypersonic arsenal.
rte.ieAndy Burnham took the parliamentary oath as the new Labour MP for Makerfield. He received cheers from fellow Labour MPs during the ceremony in Parliament.