President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia in honor of Victory Day, a holiday celebrated in both Russia and Ukraine that honors the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War ll.
The ceasefire will begin on Saturday, May 9, and run through Monday, May 11. In addition to a suspension of all kinetic activity, 1,000 prisoners will be released by each country.
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War ll, and we are getting closer and closer every day.”
Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy both confirmed the agreement.
A previous agreement was proposed between the two nations earlier this month, but it did not take effect.
“I thank every state and leader who supported Ukraine’s proposal for a full ceasefire. Russia responded to it only with new strikes and attacks,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X on May 6. “Ukraine is ready to work for peace. Ukraine seeks to end this war with dignity. Russia has fought to the point where even its main parade now depends on us. This is a clear signal: Enough is enough.”
In light of the current ceasefire, Zelenskyy in a post on Friday thanked Trump for his involvement and said, “We expect the United States to ensure that the Russian side fulfills these agreements.”