It is the second time in less than two weeks that the Russian president has called a halt to fighting without committing to a long-term end to the war.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire next week in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War as the U.S. presses for a deal to end the 3-year-old war. Kyiv insisted on a longer and immediate truce.