After being accused of violating the last short-term truce, President Vladimir Putin says Russia will halt its war in Ukraine for three days to mark 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.

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.

Russia has refused to abide by a 30-day unconditional cease-fire that Ukraine previously agreed to at the urging of the Trump administration. A one-day truce announced by Mr. Putin to mark Easter did not hold, with both sides accusing the other of continuing to fight.