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.

"Along the way, they’ll once again distort history, claiming that Russia won the Second World War single-handedly. Then, as usual, they will violate their own ceasefire," she says, before adding: "Clearly, it’s a questionable proposal."

Russia has never opposed a ceasefire in Ukraine, Russian state-run news agencies reported on Wednesday, citing foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.