In a significant diplomatic development, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire along with a large-scale prisoner exchange, following an unexpected initiative by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceasefire, revealed by Trump on Truth Social, is set to take place from May 9 to May 11, aligning with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. This agreement includes the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side, marking a crucial step toward alleviating tensions between the two countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged this breakthrough on X, emphasizing the humanitarian importance of retrieving captured soldiers over engaging in military actions against Moscow during its 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 its mediation role in the negotiations, particularly appreciating the efforts of Trump and his team.
Confirmation of Russia’s participation in the ceasefire came from Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. Meanwhile, Zelensky has directed his administration to swiftly organize the prisoner exchange and urged the United States to ensure that Russia adheres to the terms of the agreement. The diplomatic intervention comes after a week of conflicting ceasefire announcements from the two nations, each accusing the other of violations.
Russia had initially declared a unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 10 to coincide with Victory Day, prompting Ukraine to suggest its own ceasefire from May 5 to May 6. These overlapping proposals led to mutual accusations of ceasefire breaches. The Russian Defense Ministry issued a warning of a potential major strike on Kyiv should Ukrainian forces disrupt the Victory Day celebrations with attacks.