Russia and Ukraine Agree to 72-Hour Ceasefire Starting May 9 With Prisoner Exchange
President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire beginning Saturday, including a suspension of all kinetic activity and an exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each side. Trump, who requested the pause directly from both leaders, described it as a potential first step toward ending the war that began in February 2022.
news.google.comPresident Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire scheduled for May 9th, 10th, and 11th. The ceasefire begins on Saturday and carries through Monday. It includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and an exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each country.
Trump requested the ceasefire directly from President Putin and President Zelenskyy. President Putin agreed to the three-day ceasefire request.
He stated that the ceasefire "could be the beginning of the end" of the war. Trump stated: "And we have a little period of time where they’re not going to be killing people. " "Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War," Trump stated.
He stated that talks continue over ending the war that began in February 2022. Trump stated that "we are getting closer and closer every day" to ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the ceasefire agreement.
Yuri Ushakov confirmed the ceasefire agreement. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s decision was shaped in part by the prospect of freeing its prisoners. " He issued a formal presidential decree authorizing Russia to hold the Victory Day parade and declaring Red Square off-limits for Ukrainian strikes.
May 9 is Victory Day in Russia, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. -mediated process. He thanked Trump and the American team for effective diplomatic engagement.
Zelenskyy instructed his team to prepare everything necessary for the prisoner exchange without delay. N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the three-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
N. Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated calls for an unconditional and lasting ceasefire. The war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-05-08
President Donald Trump announces three-day ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, effective May 9-11, including prisoner exchange.
3 sourcesPresident Donald Trump · fortune.com · The Washington Times - 2026-05-08
Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms agreement, issues decree protecting Red Square parade, and thanks U.S. for mediation.
2 sourcesVolodymyr Zelenskyy · fortune.com - 2026-05-08
Vladimir Putin states the war is 'coming to an end.'
1 sourceVladimir Putin - 2026-05-09
Three-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange scheduled to begin, coinciding with Russian Victory Day.
2 sourcesPresident Donald Trump · unattributed - 2022-02
War between Russia and Ukraine began.
1 sourceunattributed
Potential Impact
- 01
U.S.-mediated process places Washington in position to verify compliance, per Zelenskyy request.
- 02
Successful exchange of 2,000 total prisoners could build limited trust for longer-term negotiations.
- 03
May accelerate ongoing talks to end the war that began in February 2022, as both sides describe it as potentially 'coming to an end.'
Transparency Panel
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