President Donald Trump announced on Friday (May 8) that a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will commence on Saturday (May 9) and last through Monday (May 11). This ceasefire coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, which commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The truce also includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and a prisoner swap involving 1,000 prisoners from each country.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the ceasefire. Trump stated, “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard-fought war.” He also mentioned that ongoing talks are bringing the conflict closer to resolution.
Russia had previously announced a unilateral two-day ceasefire for Victory Day, while Ukraine had offered a truce that was initially ignored by Moscow. The ceasefire was reportedly requested directly by President Trump, and he emphasized the importance of this agreement in moving towards peace.
The ceasefire will temporarily halt hostilities in a conflict that began in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. As reported by Al Jazeera, the ceasefire includes a prisoner swap, with each country releasing 1,000 prisoners. Additionally, 13WHAM reported that the ceasefire was initiated after a phone call between Trump and Putin.
As the ceasefire approaches, there is hope that it may lead to further negotiations and a potential end to the conflict. However, tensions remain high, with Russia’s Defense Ministry warning of retaliatory measures if Ukraine disrupts the truce.
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