Trump declares 3-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

Defense &National Security

President Trump said on Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire over the weekend, an announcement that includes a prisoner swap between the two nations.

The ceasefire will go on from May 9-11, the president said in a post on Truth Social, saying the halt in fighting is for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.

“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 said.

The president said the request for a halt in fighting came “directly” from him and that he “very much” appreciates the agreement made between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly and hard fought War,” Trump wrote. “Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II and we are getting closer and closer every day.”

Zelensky said his government agreed to the ceasefire because of the prisoner swap, saying on social media, “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home.” “I thank the President of the United States and his team for their productive diplomatic involvement. We expect the United States to ensure that the Russian side fulfills these agreements,” he wrote on social platform X.

Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said on Friday that Russia has agreed to the short-term ceasefire.

Trump’s announcement also came after his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Ukraine’s chief peace negotiator, Rustem Umerov, this week in Miami.

“The main focus was on humanitarian issues,........

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