United States President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, expressing hope that the truce would pave the way for a long-term peace deal to end the ongoing war.
Trump disclosed that the ceasefire would commence on May 9 and run through May 11.
The development comes after Russia earlier announced a two-day unilateral ceasefire to coincide with its annual May 9 Victory Day celebrations marking the end of World War II.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the temporary truce followed direct appeals from him to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I am pleased to announce that there will be a three-day ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump stated.
“This request was made directly by me, and I appreciate the agreement reached by Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it marks the beginning of the end of a long, deadly and difficult war.”
Trump also revealed that both countries had agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each as part of the ceasefire arrangement.
Despite the announcement, hostilities reportedly continued on Friday, with both countries exchanging attacks before the ceasefire takes effect.
Ukraine had previously accused Moscow of using the temporary truce to secure its Victory Day military parade on Red Square, while Russia alleged that Kyiv planned to disrupt the event.
President Zelenskyy had earlier criticised Moscow for allegedly ignoring Ukraine’s own proposal for a temporary halt in fighting earlier in the week.
Ukraine’s air force, however, disclosed that Russia launched 67 drones overnight, the lowest number recorded in almost a month.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed it intercepted over 400 Ukrainian drones, including about 100 targeting Moscow.
A drone strike in the Russian-controlled Kherson region reportedly killed a 41-year-old man and his teenage daughter, according to Moscow-backed officials.
Zelenskyy also acknowledged a Ukrainian strike on an oil depot in Russia’s Yaroslavl region, northeast of Moscow.
The conflict, which began after Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives and remains Europe’s deadliest war since World War II.
Efforts to secure a permanent peace deal have so far recorded limited progress despite growing international pressure for an end to the conflict.
