Russia agreed to US President Donald Trump’s initiative to conclude a cease-fire in the war in Ukraine from May 9 to 11 in exchange for 1,000 prisoners. This was stated on Friday by Yuriy Ushakov, adviser to the Russian president, TASR writes, according to a Reuters report.
- Russia accepted Donald Trump’s initiative for a three-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
- Trump announced a three-day truce for May 9-11 via Truth Social.
“On behalf of the Russian side, I confirm the acceptance of the initiative that was just proposed by the US President Donald Trump and which concerns the ceasefire for the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine,” confirmed Ushakov.
A temporary truce
Trump announced the ceasefire on the Truth Social social network. “I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE-DAY Ceasefire (May 9th, 10th and 11th) in the Russia-Ukraine war. Celebrations in Russia are on Victory Day, but so are Ukraine, as they too were an important part and factor in World War II. This ceasefire will include the suspension of all kinetic activity and also the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” he wrote.
The head of the White House asked for a truce directly from the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. “Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly and hard-fought war. Talks are ongoing to end this major conflict, the largest since World War II, and we are getting closer every day,” he added.
President Zelensky’s decree
In the meantime, Zelenskyi also confirmed the ceasefire. He also signed a decree banning the military from launching attacks on Moscow’s Red Square during a military parade celebrating Victory Day on Saturday, May 9.
“In view of the numerous requests and for humanitarian reasons, which were established in the negotiations with the American side on May 8, 2026, I order: Allow the organization of a military parade in the city of Moscow (Russian Federation) on May 9, 2026,” the presidential decree reads. “During the parade from 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time, the territory of Red Square will be excluded from the plan for the use of Ukrainian weapons,” Zelensky ordered. GPS coordinates of Red Square are also attached to the decree.
At the same time, Zelenskyy declared on the X social network that humanitarian issues and the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war are more important for Ukraine than Red Square in Moscow.
Russia has unilaterally declared a ceasefire on May 8 and 9, when it will commemorate the end of World War II with a military parade. Ukraine, on the other hand, declared a ceasefire, which was valid from Wednesday midnight (Tuesday, May 5, 23:00 CEST).
