President Trump Announces Temporary Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire During Victory Day Weekend
President Donald Trump announced Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire beginning Saturday, marking the first mutual pause in fighting since the war erupted in February 2022.
“I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The temporary truce coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II, one of the country’s most significant national holidays.
Trump said the agreement would include a “suspension of all kinetic activity” during the three-day window and suggested the breakthrough could become a turning point in the brutal conflict.
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War,” Trump added. “Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day.”
Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the ceasefire arrangement and announced that both sides would also conduct a major prisoner swap involving 1,000 prisoners from each country.
“Within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000,” Zelensky wrote on X.
He added that Ukraine would work quickly to finalize preparations for the exchange and said a ceasefire “must also be established” during the three-day period.
Russia had reportedly spent weeks pushing for a Victory Day truce while simultaneously warning Ukraine against disrupting planned celebrations and military parades in Moscow.
Ukraine had initially dismissed earlier Russian ceasefire proposals as unserious before President Trump stepped in to broker the latest arrangement.
According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Moscow agreed to the ceasefire after direct discussions between Trump and Vladimir Putin.
The war has dragged on for more than four years and has resulted in massive casualties, widespread destruction, and repeated fears of broader escalation between Russia and NATO-aligned countries.
While previous temporary pauses in fighting have occurred around Orthodox religious holidays and energy infrastructure agreements, deep mistrust between Moscow and Kyiv had prevented both sides from agreeing to a mutual ceasefire until now.
The three-day truce is expected to be closely watched internationally as diplomats attempt to determine whether it could open the door to broader negotiations aimed at ending Europe’s largest war since World War II.