With temporary ceasefires, the Kremlin wants to demonstrate its willingness to engage in dialogue and prolong the negotiations for peace in Ukraine.

Following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, the Kremlin calls it a gesture of goodwill, while Kyiv calls it a betrayal. Reactions to the three-day ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin around the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war from May 8 to 11 have been reserved and skeptical.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin's words as feigning a willingness to engage in dialogue and a desire for peace. The ceasefire was "another attempt at manipulation," Zelensky said in his evening video address. "For some reason, everyone is supposed to wait until May 8 and only then cease fire," so that Putin can have peace during the parade. Kyiv's priority is protecting people, not parades, Zelensky said.

He pointed out that, unlike Russia, Ukraine had already agreed to US President Donald Trump's proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in early March. Russia, however, rejected all proposals aimed at a long-term ceasefire. In this context, Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of "manipulating the world and trying to deceive the US."

His Foreign Minister, Andriy Syhiba, had previously stated that if Russia was serious about peace, it should order an immediate cessation of hostilities for a longer period. Ukraine, he emphasized, is ready for a lasting peace.

In his video message, Zelenskyy also addressed a Russian drone attack on the Cherkasy region, where, he said, work to restore gas supplies to the population is ongoing.

More than a month ago, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to halt attacks on energy facilities for 30 days. The deadline has now expired. However, even during the moratorium, both sides repeatedly accused each other of breaking the agreement.

The ceasefire, now unilaterally ordered by Putin, is in effect from dawn on May 8 until dawn on May 11. On May 9, Russia's Victory Day, a large military parade will be held in Moscow. Numerous state guests are expected to attend, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. "During this period, all hostilities will cease," the Kremlin website stated. Russia expects the Ukrainian side to follow suit. Putin cited "humanitarian considerations" as the reason. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, declared the ceasefire a "gesture of goodwill."

He did not address Ukraine's counterproposal, but in a television interview that evening, he cast doubt on Ukraine's ability to maintain the ceasefire. Peskov said Kyiv does not have all the combat units under its control.

Russia is also under pressure to show goodwill. Trump wants to bring about a swift end to the war and recently accused Moscow of a lack of will for peace. His administration has threatened to withdraw as mediator if there is no rapid progress.

However, the White House also appeared unimpressed by Putin's proposal, just weeks after the unsustainable Easter ceasefire. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump was increasingly frustrated with the leaders of both countries.

In response to the temporary ceasefire ordered by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, she said Trump had made it clear that he wanted to see a permanent ceasefire. He remained optimistic about a peace deal, but both leaders needed to come to the negotiating table.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also made clear the extent of the dissatisfaction in Washington during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. He emphasized that the war in Ukraine must end now. The United States is serious about bringing an end to this "senseless war," US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted the minister as saying. The conversation took place on Sunday.

Rubio said on television on Sunday, referring to the US mediating role: "This week will be a very important week in which we will have to decide whether we want to continue to participate in this project or whether it is time to focus on other issues that are just as important, if not more so."

Acting Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also has little hope in the ceasefire announced by Putin. On the sidelines of a visit to NATO headquarters, the SPD politician referred to Putin's previous announcements. "And we know the result: Despite ongoing talks about a ceasefire, cities and civilian infrastructure were targeted and intensified in order to instill fear and terror in the civilian population," Pistorius told the German Press Agency in Brussels.

Nevertheless, he expressed great hope that a genuine and reliable ceasefire would be achieved. "However, it is unlikely to bring about a change in the course of the war or a prospect of real peace," he said.

Pistorius told broadcaster RTL/ntv that he is counting on the US to continue supporting Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia. "Because this is about much more than the defensive struggle of a sovereign country in Europe; it's about the security of Europe and thus also about a region that has always been of paramount importance to the Americans at least since World War II, and in my opinion, must and will remain so," said the SPD politician.

Regarding fears that the US government might deny Ukraine further military and financial support, Pistorius said: "We will do everything we can to compensate, but before that we will advocate for the Americans to stay on board."