Trump announces surprise three-day ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war

President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II, as well as a massive prisoner exchange between both nations.

The ceasefire will begin on Saturday and run through Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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 prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” he added. “This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”

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Russia will celebrate Victory Day on Saturday, marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. It is one of Russia’s most important national holidays. 

However, festivities have been scaled back amid the war as Moscow opted for a low-key celebration. This year’s traditional military parade won’t feature tanks, missiles, or other military equipment for the first time in decades.

Russian military forces have been engaged in a slow and bloody conflict with Ukraine, which was supposed to deliver a quick victory. The war has stalled amid the Kremlin’s unforeseen resistance by Ukraine’s smaller military.  

On X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange of prisoners captured during the four-year conflict, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

“Within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000,” he wrote. “A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange.”

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Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his diplomatic involvement in the process and said he hopes the United States will make sure Moscow abides by the agreement. 

Trump made ending the war one of his signature promises during his presidential campaign.

“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard-fought war,” he said. “Talks are continuing on ending this major conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day.”

Both sides in the war have voiced distrust over one another as a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine that Russia announced for Friday and Saturday quickly unraveled, The Associated Press reported. 

Ukraine’s drone technology has allowed it to reach inside Russia with more frequency and regularity and both sides have accused each other of violating past ceasefire agreements.

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Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry on Friday said Moscow had ceased combat operations and remained at its “previously occupied lines and positions” from midnight, when Putin’s unilateral ceasefire came into force, the AP said.