KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine both reported attacks on their forces Thursday on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian lawmakers unanimously approved a landmark minerals deal with the U.S.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of violating its own ceasefire 734 times between midnight and midday Thursday. He called the ceasefire a “farce” on the social media platform X.
The unilateral ceasefire coincides with Russia’s biggest secular holiday, the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Kyiv has pressed for a longer-term ceasefire.
Meanwhile at the Kremlin, Putin held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom the Russian leader earlier described as Moscow’s “main guest” at Friday’s Victory Day festivities. In the evening, Putin hosted Xi and other foreign leaders for a gala dinner in an apparent effort to showcase Russia’s global clout.
The Ukrainian parliament’s ratification of the minerals deal marked a key step in a deal that will allow Washington access to Ukraine’s largely untapped minerals, deepen strategic ties and create a joint investment fund with the U.S. for the reconstruction of Ukraine.