A three-day ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine has been confirmed by both nations, following unexpected diplomatic efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Announced initially on Trump’s Truth Social platform, the deal is set to halt hostilities from May 9 to May 11, aligning with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. As part of the ceasefire, each side will exchange 1,000 prisoners.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the importance of retrieving captured Ukrainian troops over pursuing military actions during Moscow’s Victory Day parade. In a statement on X, Zelensky emphasized that the lives of Ukrainian prisoners are prioritized over symbolic actions like targeting Red Square. He expressed gratitude towards Trump and his team for their role in the negotiations, which were instrumental in reaching the agreement.
In Russia, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed the country’s commitment to the ceasefire, as reported by state media. Meanwhile, Zelensky has directed his administration to swiftly organize the logistics for the prisoner exchange. He also called upon the United States to ensure that Russia adheres to the terms of the agreement, emphasizing the critical need for oversight in the process.
This development concludes a tumultuous week marked by conflicting ceasefire declarations from both sides. Russia had previously announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-10 in observance of Victory Day. In response, Ukraine proposed a separate ceasefire for May 5-6. The period was fraught with accusations of ceasefire violations from both nations, with the Russian Defense Ministry threatening a significant strike on Kyiv if Ukrainian actions disrupted the Victory Day festivities.