ZAP // Robert Ghement / EPA; vverve / Depositphotos; The Times & Sunday Times
Donald Trump’s announcement already confirmed by Zelenskyy and the Kremlin. Red Square will be protected during the parade.
Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine e Russia starting today, Saturday.
“Let’s hope this is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly and difficult war”, wrote the US president on his social network, specifying that the truce will include a replacement of 1,000 prisoners on both sides.
The Kremlin had already declared a unilateral truce ahead of the May 9 celebrations in Moscow.
In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he confirmed the ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States, and thanked the White House Republican leader.
“I thank the President of the United States and his team for their effective diplomatic intervention. We count on the United States to ensure that the Russian side complies with the agreements,” Zelensky wrote on the Telegram platform.
The Ukrainian leader said in the message that “a ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10 and 11,” adding that he has already tasked a team with “quickly preparing everything necessary for the exchange” of prisoners of war.
Zelensky also ordered the Ukrainian army not to attack Moscow, organized by the Kremlin to celebrate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, who can be returned home,” continued the Ukrainian leader.
In a decree, Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that, “considering the numerous requests” and with a “humanitarian purpose”, “the holding of a parade in Moscow (Russian Federation) on May 9, 2026 is authorized”.
“During the parade (…), the Red Square will be excluded of the plan for the use of Ukrainian weapons”, it can be read.
However, Kiev, which had committed to silencing the weapons in a “symmetrical way” if Moscow did so, reported that, during the first day of the ceasefire, Russian troops had already launched 52 attacks against Ukrainian positions.
Also the Russia confirmed a three-day truce, between May 9 and 11, and a prisoner exchange with Ukraine.
“I confirm that the Russian side accepts the initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump, regarding a ceasefire for the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine,” Yuri Ushakov, diplomatic advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, told journalists.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations has already welcomed the ceasefire: “[António Guterres] It reiterates its call for an immediate, comprehensive, unconditional and lasting ceasefire as a first step towards a just, sustainable and complete peace, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions”, highlighted United Nations Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, in a statement sent to Europa Press.
