Trump Announces Russia Ukraine Three-Day Ceasefire, Prisoner Exchange/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire beginning Saturday. The temporary truce also includes a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 captives from each side. Trump called the agreement a possible turning point toward ending the prolonged war.
Russia Ukraine Ceasefire Quick Looks
- Ceasefire scheduled for May 9-11
- Russia and Ukraine to exchange 1,000 prisoners each
- Trump says he personally requested the pause
- Victory Day celebrations coincide with ceasefire timing
- Talks continue toward broader peace agreement
- Trump calls truce “beginning of the end”
Deep Look
Trump Announces Temporary Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire
President Donald Trump announced Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary three-day ceasefire and a large prisoner exchange, raising hopes for a possible breakthrough in the long-running war. Russia and Ukraine are expected to suspend military operations from May 9 through May 11.
Trump shared the announcement on social media, saying both leaders accepted his direct request for a pause in fighting. He described the agreement as a potentially historic step toward ending one of the deadliest conflicts in Europe in decades.
“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. “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.”
Ceasefire Timed Around Russia’s Victory Day
The temporary truce coincides with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which commemorate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Trump noted that Ukraine also played a major role in the Allied victory, describing the timing as meaningful for both nations.
According to Trump, the ceasefire includes a full suspension of “kinetic activity,” signaling a halt to military strikes, artillery attacks and other combat operations during the three-day period.
The Republican president said the pause was designed to reduce tensions while negotiators continue discussions aimed at securing a broader peace agreement.
“This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.,” Trump said. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War.”
Trump added that talks continue over ending the war “and we are getting closer and closer every day.”
Massive Prisoner Swap Planned
A major component of the agreement involves the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side. If completed, it would mark one of the largest prisoner swaps since the war began.
Trump praised both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy for accepting the proposal, saying he appreciated their willingness to cooperate despite ongoing hostilities.
The prisoner exchange is expected to include both military personnel and detainees captured during various stages of the conflict.
Trump Signals Progress In Peace Negotiations
Trump described the temporary ceasefire as a possible “beginning of the end” of the war, suggesting negotiators are making steady progress behind the scenes. He added that talks continue daily and claimed the two sides are moving “closer and closer” toward a larger agreement.
The announcement comes amid broader international efforts to de-escalate the conflict and reduce the growing economic and geopolitical pressures tied to the war.
While neither Moscow nor Kyiv immediately released additional details about the ceasefire framework, the agreement marks one of the most significant coordinated pauses in fighting since the conflict intensified.
Global Attention Focuses On Fragile Truce
World leaders and diplomatic observers are expected to closely monitor whether both sides fully honor the temporary ceasefire. Previous efforts at negotiated pauses in fighting have often collapsed amid accusations of violations from both Russia and Ukraine.
Still, the combination of a ceasefire and large-scale prisoner exchange is being viewed by some analysts as a potentially important confidence-building measure that could open the door for more formal negotiations later this year.
For now, attention remains fixed on whether the three-day pause can hold and whether it leads to broader diplomatic momentum toward ending the war.
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