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.

Putin of Russia said on Monday that he had ordered a three-day cease-fire in Ukraine next month as a good-will gesture. Mr. Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlin’s website that Russian forces would stop fighting on May 8 for 72 hours for “humanitarian reasons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine next month to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two.