- US President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine scheduled for May 9, 10, and 11, following direct coordination with Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy.
- The agreement includes a significant humanitarian component, with both nations set to swap 1,000 prisoners each during the truce period.
- The ceasefire aligns with Russia’s May 9 World War II Victory Day, an event that has faced heightened security concerns and a reduction in military hardware displays this year.
United States President Donald Trump has brokered a 72-hour ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, describing it as a potential “beginning of the end” for the four-year war.
Eko Hot Blog reports that making the announcement on his Truth Social platform, Trump revealed that the request was made directly by his administration and accepted by both Moscow and Kyiv.
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The truce, which begins on Saturday, May 9, is intended to pause the heavy fighting that has characterized the region since 2022 and facilitate a massive mutual exchange of 2,000 total prisoners.
The announcement comes at a critical time, as Russia prepares for its annual Victory Day military parade on Red Square.
While Moscow had previously signaled a shorter, unilateral pause for the holiday, Ukraine had initially dismissed such moves as propaganda.
However, the inclusion of a large-scale prisoner swap and the direct involvement of Washington appear to have shifted the diplomatic landscape.
Despite the breakthrough, fighting remained intense on Friday, with Ukraine striking an oil depot in the Yaroslavl region and Russia launching drone attacks, underscoring the fragility of the agreement.
The ceasefire also provides a brief respite for a global community currently distracted by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
For Trump, who pledged during his campaign to resolve the conflict swiftly, this represents his most significant diplomatic intervention to date.
However, observers remain cautious; with 13 airports in southern Russia closed due to recent drone strikes and threats of massive retaliation against Kyiv, the success of these three days will be a major test for the prospects of a long-term peace deal.
