When Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his forces would observe a three-day cease-fire in Ukraine to mark the May 9 celebration of Victory Day, the supposed pause of the war was immediately disrupted by reports of continued Russian missile attacks on civilians in Ukraine. It was a familiar pattern. Previous cease-fire attempts have similarly collapsed within hours, including the 30-hour “Easter truce” in April, which saw nearly 3,000 violations by Russian forces, according to Ukrainian officials.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his forces would observe a three-day cease-fire in Ukraine to mark the May 9 celebration of Victory Day, the supposed pause of the war was immediately disrupted by reports of continued Russian missile attacks on civilians in Ukraine. It was a familiar pattern. Previous cease-fire attempts have similarly collapsed within hours, including the 30-hour “Easter truce” in April, which saw nearly 3,000 violations by Russian forces, according to Ukrainian officials.
So why does Russia continue to propose cease-fires that it does not intend to uphold?
Rather than expressing actual policy and intent, the Kremlin’s cease-fire offers operate largely as tools in the information war—with the goal of shaping narratives and opinions at home and abroad.
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