A fragment of a downed Russian drone rests on the soil while emergency responders operate at the location of a Russian aerial strike, amid the ongoing Russian assault on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, dated May 7, 2026. Vitalii Hnidyi/Reuters
President Donald Trump stated Friday that Russia and Ukraine had consented to a short, three-day cessation of hostilities and a prisoner exchange this weekend after discussions brokered by the United States.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had been advocating for the brief halt in combat to occur over his nation’s “Victory Day” observance on May 9, a date commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany during the Second World War and when he oversees a grand annual military display on Red Square.
President Donald Trump speaks during a Mother’s Day luncheon in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, May 8, 2026.Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Trump lauded the truce as potentially the “start of the conclusion” to the conflict, yet anticipation was minimal that Putin would prolong the ceasefire beyond Monday. Throughout the war, Putin has proclaimed brief pauses in fighting during holidays, lasting merely a few hours and largely disregarded by Russian forces, rendering them practically insignificant.
“This Ceasefire will encompass a halt to all forceful actions, in addition to a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each Nation. I personally made this request, and I greatly appreciate the agreement to it by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Trump posted on social media.
In a social media announcement, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy verified that they had obtained a prisoner swap proposition from Russia and affirmed it must be paired with a ceasefire. The Kremlin also asserted it would now abide by the ceasefire, stating it was initially agreed upon by Putin and Trump during a recent telephone conversation.
Putin had singularly declared the three-day cessation the previous week, however, Ukraine had been hesitant to commit, surmising Putin wished to exploit it as a disguise for the May 9 parade, which the Kremlin feared was susceptible to Ukrainian assaults. The parade, typically showcasing hundreds of tanks and other military vehicles passing the Kremlin walls, is a centerpiece of Putin’s leadership, and Ukrainian attacks nearby would be an embarrassment.
For the first instance in almost two decades, the Kremlin has conveyed that military vehicles will not engage in the parade due to apprehensions of Ukrainian attacks.
Zelenskyy — who has advocated for a prolonged ceasefire — had declined to consent to Putin’s halt in recent days, implying that Ukraine might target the parade. However, subsequent to a request from Trump, he confirmed that he has now agreed to it in return for the prisoner exchange.
An engine of a Russian drone lays on the ground as rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, May 7, 2026.Vitalii Hnidyi/Reuters
In a social media communication, Zelenskyy hinted that returning the prisoners carried more weight than attacking the parade.
“Red Square holds lesser significance to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” he communicated.
“Thus, in the context of the negotiation process facilitated by the American party, we secured Russia’s concurrence to execute a prisoner swap in a 1,000-for-1,000 format. A cessation of hostilities must additionally be enacted on May 9, 10, and 11,” Zelenskyy declared, expressing gratitude to Trump for his participation.
“We anticipate the United States to guarantee the fulfillment of these agreements by the Russian side,” Zelenskyy supplemented.
In this photo provided by the Ukraine National Police on May 5, 2026, smoke rises from a car service workshop destroyed by a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.Ukraine National Police via AP
In April, Trump indicated that, subsequent to a discussion with Putin, he put forth the concept of a ceasefire for Victory Day.
“I proposed a short ceasefire. And I believe he might consider it. He could publicize something relevant to it,” Trump mentioned during that period.
Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov reported on Friday that “the accord on this matter transpired during our phone discussions with the U.S. president’s administration.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com