In a surprising diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump has brokered a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, confirmed by both nations on Friday. The agreement, which Trump revealed on Truth Social, involves a three-day halt to hostilities from May 9 to May 11, aligning with Russia’s Victory Day festivities. As part of this arrangement, each side will exchange 1,000 prisoners, marking a significant step in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to X to affirm the ceasefire, emphasizing the urgency of repatriating captured Ukrainian soldiers over launching military offensives against Moscow during its annual Victory Day parade. “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home,” Zelensky stated, expressing gratitude towards the U.S. for mediating the negotiations and acknowledging Trump’s role in facilitating the agreement.
Simultaneously, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire, as reported by state media. The decision follows a week of conflicting ceasefire proposals from both nations, each accusing the other of breaches. Initially, Russia had declared a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-10, which prompted Ukraine to suggest its own for May 5-6, leading to mutual accusations of violations.
In light of the deal, Zelensky has directed his team to expedite preparations for the prisoner swap and has urged the United States to ensure Russia adheres to the accord. This development aims to ease tensions after a period of discord and threats, including a warning from the Russian Defense Ministry about a potential major strike on Kyiv if Ukrainian forces disrupted Victory Day ceremonies.