Kremlin: Putin Wants a Victory Day Truce

Putin discussed a possible Victory Day truce with Donald Trump, despite past Russian ceasefire pledges that Ukraine says were repeatedly violated. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Moscow-installed head of the Donetsk region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 10, 2026. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with US President Donald Trump , during which Putin expressed readiness to declare a truce on Russia’s Victory Day, celebrated on May 9. Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the call lasted about 90 minutes and that Trump supported the idea of a temporary truce, Ukrainska Pravda reported. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . During the conversation, Putin complained about what he described as Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets in Russia and reiterated that Moscow would achieve its goals in the war , while claiming it preferred to do so “through negotiations,” Ushakov said according to RIA Novosti. Trump, for his part, said a deal to end the war in Ukraine was “almost there,” according to the Kremlin’s account of the call. The reported discussion comes against the backdrop of previous Russian announcements of unilateral ceasefires that Ukraine says were not observed . Last year, Putin declared a ceasefire ahead of Victory Day, beginning at midnight on May 8 and was to last through May 11. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, citing data from Ukraine’s military command, said Russia violated that ceasefire at least 734 times between midnight and noon on May 8. Russian forces had carried out 63 assault operations, 176 drone strikes, and 10 air strikes using guided bombs during that period. Ukraine has repeatedly said any ceasefire must be genuine and verifiable. Other Topics of Interest Hungary’s Magyar Seeks Breakthrough in Brussels on Blocked EU Billions Hungary’s incoming leader met EU officials in Brussels as he seeks to repair ties and unlock billions in frozen EU funding after years of tensions under Viktor Orbán. Ukrainian forces remain on high alert, following continued tensions and aggression on the frontline. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.