WASHINGTON – In a significant diplomatic development, former President Donald Trump announced on Friday that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to a three-day ceasefire, as well as a mutual exchange of prisoners. This ceasefire, which is set to take place from May 9th to May 11th, has been described by Trump as a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict that has persisted since February 2022.
Zelenskyy confirmed the agreement, although there was no immediate response from the Kremlin. Notably, the timing of this ceasefire coincides with Russia’s Victory Day, a national holiday that commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. “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 stated on social media, emphasizing the significance of this date for both nations.
According to Trump, the ceasefire includes a full suspension of military activities, and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each side. This move comes after Russia had previously declared a ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, which quickly fell apart amidst mutual accusations of continued aggression.
Trump revealed that he had communicated his request for this ceasefire directly to both leaders, expressing hope that it could signal the “beginning of the end” of a conflict that has resulted in significant human and material losses. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War,” he added. However, Trump’s fluctuating statements regarding the war’s resolution have raised questions about the stability of this agreement.
Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of prisoner exchanges, stating that Ukraine’s approach to ongoing discussions is largely influenced by the desire to secure the release of its captured soldiers. “Red Square matters less to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war who can be brought home,” he wrote on Telegram, indicating the need for humanitarian considerations even amidst military operations.
In a response to the ceasefire announcement, Zelenskyy issued a formal decree allowing Russia to hold its Victory Day parade in Red Square, while simultaneously declaring the area off-limits for any Ukrainian attacks during the event. This decision underscores Ukraine’s capability to target Russian territory while demonstrating restraint in light of the ceasefire negotiations.
The ceasefire agreement reportedly emerged from a U.S.-mediated process, with Zelenskyy expressing gratitude for the diplomatic engagement from Trump and his team. He stressed the importance of American oversight in ensuring that Russia adheres to the terms of the agreement, stating, “We are counting on the United States to ensure that Russia fulfills its commitments.”
However, the optimism surrounding the ceasefire contrasts sharply with the comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently described current U.S. mediation efforts as stagnant, indicating a lack of fruitful outcomes thus far. “While we’re prepared to play whatever role we can to bring it to a peaceful diplomatic resolution, unfortunately right now, those efforts have stagnated,” he noted.
This evolving situation continues to be a focal point of international diplomacy, with many observers watching closely to see if this ceasefire will hold and lead to more substantial negotiations aimed at concluding one of the most prolonged and devastating conflicts in recent history.
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Associated Press writers Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv and Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report.
