The US president urges a longer truce amid Kievs reported refusal to observe even a 72-hour pause unilaterally declared by Moscow

US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Moscow and Kiev would soon agree on a month-long truce following his Thursday call with Vladimir Zelensky, amid a 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire that was unilaterally declared by Russia

Starting at midnight on Thursday, Russian forces ceased hostilities and remained at previously occupied positions, only providing a "tit-for-tat reaction" to violations by Ukraine, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. Kiev's troops reportedly carried out at least 488 attacks and attempted two incursions into Russia's Kursk Region, according to the ministry.

Zelensky, who had previously dismissed the Russian peace initiative as "manipulation" while Kiev intensified drone strikes on Russian territory, held a phone call with Trump later in the day. After the call, he claimed that "Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire today, right from this moment," but insisted that the truce should last for at least 30 days.

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"Talks with Russia/Ukraine continue," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social after the call.

Trump warned that if such a ceasefire is reached but "is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions."

Moscow has repeatedly stated its readiness to commence negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions. In March, it agreed to a US-brokered 30-day partial ceasefire focused on halting strikes on energy infrastructure. However, according to the Russian military, Kiev violated the truce on numerous occasions.

When announcing the ceasefire last week, President Vladimir Putin described it as a humanitarian gesture to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany - and one that could also serve as a catalyst for "the start of direct negotiations with Kiev without preconditions."

While calling for a longer "unconditional ceasefire" on Thursday, Trump emphasized that this truce "must ultimately build toward a Peace Agreement," reiterating his commitment to secure a "lasting" deal between Russia and Ukraine.

"It can all be done very quickly, and I will be available on a moment's notice if my services are needed," he added.

(RT.com)