Moscow-Kiev: tension rises ahead of 9th of May parade

A three-day truce unilaterally declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin came into effect this Thursday.

A measure that was denounced as a sham by Ukraine but, according to the Kremlin, will test Kiev's willingness to negotiate.

Mr. Putin's order coincides with the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazism at the end of the Second World War, which bring together around thirty foreign leaders in Moscow, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping. It's not immediately clear whether both sides will adhere to the unilateral truce.

Ukraine never accepted the proposal and instead demanded a 30-day ceasefire. In the hours leading up to its implementation, the two countries exchanged air strikes, resulting in two deaths in Ukraine and leading to the closure of airports in Moscow and other Russian cities due to the approach of enemy drones.

(MH with AmBar - Source: Agency - Photo: © Unsplash)