Trump Announces Three-Day Ceasefire, Prisoner Swap Between Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire beginning Saturday and an exchange of 1,000 prisoners apiece, President Trump announced Friday on his Truth Social account.The ceasefire, confirmed by President Vlodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, will ease the threat of a Ukrainian attack disrupting Russia’s annual Victory Day parade on Saturday marking the anniversary of the defeat of Germany in World War II.“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,” Mr Trump wrote. “This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country.”Both countries have announced and claimed violations of unilateral ceasefires in recent days amid widespread reports that a rattled Russian government has scaled back planning for this year’s military parade fearing a Ukrainian attack.“The Russians want Ukraine’s permission to hold their parade — so they can safely take to the square for an hour once a year, and then go back to killing *our* people and waging war,” Mr. Zelensky had written Thursday on X.But in a new posting within minutes of Mr. Trump’s announcement, the Ukrainian president indicated that the prospect of a prisoner exchange had changed his thinking.“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home,” he wrote on X Friday. “That is why today, within the framework of the negotiating process mediated by the American side, we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000.”Mr. Zelensky added that a ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11. “Ukraine is consistently working to bring its people home from Russian captivity. I have instructed our team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange,” he wrote.Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Russia has also agreed to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange, the Associated Press reported.In his own posting, Mr. Trump said he had personally asked both sides to agree to the ceasefire. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer every day,” he wrote.The Trump administration has been seeking to broker a peace deal to end the war since early last year with only limited success. Russia has not budged from its demand that Ukraine cede territory that it has not lost in battle, a demand that the Ukrainians have been unwilling to accept.Nevertheless, Mr. Zelensky expressed his appreciation for the American effort, saying, “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.”

Trump Announces Three-Day Ceasefire, Prisoner Swap Between Russia and Ukraine

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