Administration

Trump announces 3-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

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by Mallory Wilson - 05/08/26 2:38 PM ET

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by Mallory Wilson - 05/08/26 2:38 PM ET

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President Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire over the weekend, which includes a prisoner swap.

The ceasefire will last from May 9-11, Trump wrote on Truth Social. The pause 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 wrote.

Trump said the request was “directly” by him and that he “very much” appreciates the agreement made between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“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.”

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the ceasefire for Friday and Saturday earlier this week, according to reports, but threatened to strike Ukraine if Kyiv does not allow Russia to celebrate its festivities.

Zelensky said Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire because of the prisoner swap, writing in an X post, “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 added.

Late last month Trump told reporters that he discussed a ceasefire with Putin. The president said Putin offered to help with the Iran war.

“I said I’d much rather have you be involved with ending the war with Ukraine,” Trump said. “To me that would be more important.”

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