Three-day ceasefire in Ukraine that was unilaterally declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month was set to come into effect at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday (midnight Moscow time), as Russia prepares to mark the anniversary of its World War II Victory Day on Friday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unilateral order for a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine took effect Thursday, timed to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. The Kremlin framed the move as a “test” of Kyiv’s willingness for peace,

Russia announced the start of a ceasefire with Ukraine, lasting for three days, as previously announced by Vladimir Putin, according to Russian media. Despite the lack of official confirmation from the Ministry of Defense,

President Vladimir Putin said in remarks published on Sunday that Russia had sufficient strength and resources to take the war in Ukraine to its logical conclusion, though he hoped that there would be no need to use nuclear weapons.

With the President intent on delivering a speedy end to the war, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky are competing to make each other the subject of his ire.