United States President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Posting on Truth Social on Friday, the US leader stated that the truce would be observed from Saturday to Monday.
“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.
Soon after, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on X that a three-day truce had indeed been arranged as part of US diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the more than four-year-old war.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov later confirmed that “an agreement on this matter was reached during our telephone contacts with the US administration. In turn, US representatives were in contact with Kyiv.” He added that the agreement followed a recent telephone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Trump, during which the two presidents “emphasised that our countries were allies during World War II and also discussed the possibility of a ceasefire during the Victory Day celebrations.”
Russia had previously announced a two-day unilateral ceasefire to mark its May 9 World War II Victory Day on Saturday. Ukraine had also previously stated that it too had offered a truce, but claimed it had been ignored by Moscow.
“This request was made directly by me,” Trump asserted on Friday, expressing gratitude to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts for agreeing to the terms.
“The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II. This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country,” Trump detailed. Zelenskyy also corroborated that the prisoner swap would proceed as planned.
“Talks are continuing” on ending the war, Trump further noted, stating that “we are getting closer and closer every day”. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard-fought War.”
Ushakov, however, stressed that the ceasefire was strictly for three days, not longer, in response to Trump’s hope for its extension. “Negotiations will probably resume, but it is still unclear when,” he remarked.
“It is understandable that the American side is in a hurry,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television. “But the issue of a Ukrainian settlement is far too complex, and reaching a peace agreement is a very long way with intricate details.”
War of attrition: Trump made ending the war in Ukraine a central pillar of his 2024 presidential campaign, even boasting that he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours of returning to office.
However, nearly a year and a half later, Washington has struggled to achieve a breakthrough, with Putin demonstrating little willingness to end what has evolved into a war of attrition – a conflict he seemingly believes Russia will ultimately win due to the sheer size of its military.
The latest sticking point in the stalled peace talks remains Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, approximately three-quarters of which is currently under Russian control.
Moscow has demanded that Kyiv withdraw its troops from parts of the region that Russian forces have failed to capture, but Ukraine has steadfastly refused, insisting it will not cede territory still under its control.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected the notion of surrendering Ukrainian territory as part of any peace agreement. However, Trump and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko have previously hinted that Ukraine may ultimately have little choice if it hopes to secure a deal to end the protracted four-year conflict.
Officials reported on Thursday that Ukraine’s top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, had arrived in Miami for a series of meetings with US representatives, as peace talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine have stalled in recent months.
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