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. The ceasefire is set to occur from May 9 to May 11, aligning with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. This agreement, announced by Trump on Truth Social, involves each side exchanging 1,000 prisoners.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the importance of the ceasefire, emphasizing that the humanitarian effort to recover captured soldiers supersedes any military action against Moscow during the Victory Day parade. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude to Trump and his team for their role in mediating the agreement, stating, “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home.”
In Moscow, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed Russia’s participation in the ceasefire, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict. Zelensky has directed his team to swiftly organize the prisoner exchange, urging the United States to ensure that Russia upholds its commitments under the agreement.
This accord concludes a tumultuous week marked by conflicting ceasefires proposed by both nations. Initially, Russia declared a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-10 to coincide with Victory Day. Ukraine responded with its own ceasefire suggestion for May 5-6, leading to mutual accusations of ceasefire violations. The Russian Defense Ministry had even threatened significant military action against Kyiv if Ukrainian forces disrupted the Victory Day events.