Putin announces 3-day ceasefire starting May 8

Russian President Vladimir Putin has unilaterally announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting next week.

It will mark the 80th anniversary of the former Soviet Union's victory in World War Two. The truce will begin at midnight on May 8.

The Kremlin said all hostilities will be suspended if Ukraine also stops fighting. But it warned that Russia will respond if there is a violation. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister says Ukraine supports a "lasting, durable, and full ceasefire" for at least 30 days. Putin had declared a temporary truce earlier this month for Easter.