Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared ‌a two-day ceasefire in the conflict with ‌Ukraine on May 8-9 to coincide with Victory Day commemorations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Russia’s defence ministry said that ‌it counted ‌on ⁠the Ukrainian side to follow suit ​and that there would be a massive retaliatory missile strike on the centre of Kyiv if Ukraine tried to disrupt Victory ⁠Day ‌celebrations in Moscow.

“Despite the ​capabilities at our disposal, Russia has previously ​refrained from ‌such actions on humanitarian grounds,” it said ​in a statement, adding that it was ready to ​act if ​the ceasefire ​was not respected.

“We are ‌warning the civilian population of Kyiv and staff at foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the ​city in a timely manner,” it said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr ‌Zelensky replied by saying Ukraine would implement a ceasefire from midnight on Wednesday.

“We believe that human life is far more valuable than any anniversary ‘celebration’,” Zelensky said in a post announcing the ceasefire on X.

“In this regard, we are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6.

“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war.”

The Kremlin has previously said a ⁠possible truce, ‌discussed ​by the Putin and US President Donald Trump, ‌would cover May ​9 – which is celebrated in Moscow with a military ​parade.

-with DPA