Washington/Moscow/Kyiv | May 9, 2026
In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to May 11, raising hopes for a possible end to the brutal war that has devastated the region for more than four years.
According to Trump, the temporary truce will coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations and will include a complete suspension of all military operations. The ceasefire will also feature a significant humanitarian gesture — a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, one of the largest swaps since the conflict began.
Trump said the ceasefire was initiated at his direct request and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the proposal. He described the development as a possible turning point in what he called the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.
Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard-fought war,” Trump said, adding that negotiations to secure a permanent peace settlement are continuing and progress is being made daily.
The announcement comes amid growing international pressure to end the war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and triggered severe economic and geopolitical consequences across Europe and beyond. While the ceasefire is temporary, global leaders are watching closely to see whether this short pause in hostilities can pave the way for a broader peace agreement and bring an end to one of the most destructive wars of the 21st century.
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