U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a temporary three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, saying both countries have agreed to suspend military operations from May 9 to May 11 as part of renewed efforts to reduce tensions in the ongoing war.
Trump made the announcement on Friday through his Truth Social platform, revealing that the agreement also includes a major prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees from each side. According to him, the arrangement followed direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“This request was made directly by me,” Trump stated, expressing appreciation to both leaders for agreeing to the temporary truce and prisoner swap.
The ceasefire coincides with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9, one of the country’s most important national holidays commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Trump also referenced Ukraine’s historical contribution during the Second World War as part of the justification for extending the pause to both sides.
The announcement comes after a recent phone conversation between Trump and Putin, during which the Russian leader reportedly indicated readiness to halt fighting temporarily for the occasion. Moscow had earlier announced a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 9 and urged Kyiv to support the initiative.
However, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy initially reacted cautiously, seeking clarification on whether the proposal represented only a symbolic pause for Russia’s military parade in Moscow or a genuine step toward broader peace negotiations. Kyiv has consistently maintained that any lasting ceasefire must include clear security guarantees and respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Trump described the agreement as a possible turning point in the conflict, saying both sides appear to be moving gradually toward a peaceful resolution after more than four years of intense warfare.
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly and hard-fought war,” Trump wrote, adding that negotiations are progressing daily.
This is not the first temporary halt in the conflict. In April, Putin announced a 32-hour ceasefire during the Orthodox Easter celebrations, although both Russia and Ukraine later accused each other of violating the truce before it expired.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several international mediation efforts have struggled to produce a permanent ceasefire. One of the major obstacles remains territorial disputes, with Moscow insisting that Ukraine recognise Russian control over occupied regions, a demand Kyiv has firmly rejected.
The latest ceasefire announcement is expected to attract global attention, with world leaders and international observers closely monitoring whether the short-term agreement could open the door for broader diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the war permanently.
