President Donald Trump walks through the Colonnade of the White House as he arrives to attend a luncheon for mothers Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Rose Garden of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a significant prisoner swap. Trump claimed that the deal could serve as a turning point in the ongoing war, marking the "beginning of the end" of the long and deadly conflict.
Prisoner Swap as Key to Ceasefire Deal
The ceasefire, set to last from May 9 to May 11, coincides with Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Trump confirmed that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy readily agreed to suspend hostilities and exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side.
"I asked, and President Putin agreed. President Zelenskyy agreed – both readily," Trump said, adding that this would allow a brief period where “they’re not going to be killing people,” which he called “very good.”
Moscow and Kyiv Confirm U.S. Role
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, also confirmed the agreement, while Zelenskyy thanked Trump and the U.S. team for what he called effective diplomatic work.
Ukraine, however, made clear that it expects Washington to ensure Russia follows through. Zelenskyy said he had instructed his officials to prepare for the prisoner exchange without delay.
“Red Square matters less to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war who can be brought home,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram, referencing the location of Russia’s military parade. The Ukrainian leader also issued a decree that temporarily restricted Ukrainian strikes on Red Square, underscoring Kyiv’s restraint as part of the ceasefire terms.
Ukrainian army officers lay flowers at a monument to pilots to mark Victory Day in World War II, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, May 8, 2026, as the Russian attack on Ukraine continues. (AP Photo)
Diplomatic Efforts with Mixed Reactions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Zelenskyy’s decree as a "silly joke," asserting that Russia did not need anyone's permission to celebrate Victory Day. Nonetheless, Zelenskyy thanked Trump and the U.S. team for their mediation, emphasizing that Ukraine would hold Russia accountable for upholding the terms of the agreement.
While Trump hailed the ceasefire as a potential turning point in the war, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took a more cautious stance, saying U.S. efforts to mediate the conflict had not yet yielded "fruitful" results. Despite the challenges, Rubio affirmed that the U.S. would remain ready to assist if conditions changed.
Continuing the Push for Peace
Trump's announcement comes after a series of failed ceasefires in recent days. Despite Russia's earlier declaration of a ceasefire, fighting continued, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Zelenskyy’s comment that the prisoner swap is “key” to the ceasefire reflects Ukraine’s commitment to its citizens’ well-being, while Russia’s response suggests skepticism about the long-term impact of the deal.
As the ceasefire begins, the focus will remain on the promised prisoner exchange and whether the pause in hostilities can pave the way for further negotiations or a more lasting peace.
