RUSSIA PERSPECTIVE

The Kremlin officially accepted the 72-hour ceasefire proposed by Trump, coinciding with Victory Day. RT and TASS reversed the violation accusation: according to Russian state media, Ukraine continued attacks. A Russian presidential adviser stated that Trump's hopes for a ceasefire extension beyond 72 hours are "baseless." The Moscow Times, an independent publication, reported that Putin said the war "is coming to an end" and indicated readiness to meet Zelensky outside Russia for the first time — a notable opening, though conditional in formulation. Russia presents the ceasefire as de facto recognition of its negotiating position. Russian coverage distinguishes between formal acceptance and skepticism about implementation: Moscow will cooperate with Trump but questions whether the US president can deliver Ukrainian compliance. The strategic framing emphasizes that Russia negotiated from a position of strength: battlefield gains and American diplomatic intervention both support this narrative. Russian state media frames violations as Ukrainian aggression; independent sources note that mutual accusations are symmetric.