In a significant diplomatic development, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, facilitated by an unexpected intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump. Announced initially on Truth Social by Trump, the ceasefire will take place from May 9 to May 11, aligning with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. As part of the agreement, each nation will exchange 1,000 prisoners.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the importance of the deal in a post on X, emphasizing the humanitarian priority of rescuing captured troops over military actions against Moscow during the 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.
In Moscow, the Kremlin confirmed Russia’s participation in the ceasefire through a statement by foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, as reported by local media. Zelensky has directed his team to prepare swiftly for the prisoner swap and urged the United States to ensure Russia adheres to the agreement.
This development concludes a week marked by conflicting ceasefire announcements from both nations. Russia had independently declared a ceasefire from May 8-10 for Victory Day, while Ukraine proposed its own for May 5-6. Accusations of ceasefire violations flew between the two, with the Russian Defense Ministry threatening a major strike on Kyiv if Ukrainian forces disrupted the upcoming celebrations.