The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that it intends to adhere to a 72-hour ceasefire proposed unilaterally by President Vladimir Putin during this week’s Victory Day celebrations, despite Ukraine’s refusal of the truce.

Putin initiated the ceasefire to begin at midnight on May 8 and continue through May 11, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

“The temporary truce suggested by President Putin for the holiday period is still in effect,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed the press.

Nevertheless, he noted that Russian military forces would “swiftly respond appropriately” if Ukraine were to conduct any attacks during the ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the ceasefire as an empty gesture ahead of Russia’s annual military parade in Red Square on May 9.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry cautioned that foreign troops participating in the parade alongside Russian soldiers would be perceived as “sharing responsibility” for the war initiated by Russia.

“Marching alongside them equates to sharing accountability for the bloodshed of murdered Ukrainian children, civilians, and military personnel, rather than honoring the victory over Nazism,” the ministry remarked in a statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to support the proposed ceasefire on Monday, stating: “It may not seem significant, but it is a lot when you consider our starting point.”

In March, Putin had turned down a ceasefire proposal put forth by the U.S., which Zelensky had backed.

Reporting by AFP contributed to this article.