Trump announces 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, 1,000-prisoner swap
Synopsis
Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine covering 9–11 May, timed to coincide with Russia's Victory Day. The deal includes a suspension of all combat operations and a 1,000-prisoner swap from each side — one of the most significant coordinated pauses in the conflict since it escalated, though past truces have rarely held.
Key Takeaways
Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine covering 9, 10, and 11 May 2025 .
The ceasefire includes a suspension of all kinetic (combat) activity .
Both sides have agreed to a prisoner exchange of 1,000 prisoners each .
The pause coincides with Russia's Victory Day on 9 May , commemorating the Soviet victory in World War II.
Trump said the initiative was driven directly by him and thanked both Putin and Zelenskyy for agreeing.
Broader peace negotiations are described as ongoing, with Trump calling this conflict "the biggest since World War II."
US President Donald Trump announced on 9 May 2025 that a three-day ceasefire has been agreed between Russia and Ukraine, covering 9, 10, and 11 May, describing it as a potential turning point in a conflict that has dragged on for more than two years with heavy casualties and widespread destruction.
"I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump said in a statement, adding that the initiative was driven directly by him. "This request was made directly by me," he said.
Key Terms of the Agreement
The ceasefire includes a full suspension of active combat operations. "This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity," Trump stated. Alongside the pause in fighting, both sides have reportedly agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange. "And also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country," Trump said.
Trump expressed appreciation to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the terms. "I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," he said.
Why 9 May Was Chosen
Russia's Victory Day on 9 May is one of the country's most significant national events, commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Trump acknowledged Ukraine's own historical connection to the war. "The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II," he said. Notably, Ukraine in recent years has sought to distance itself from Soviet-era symbolism, even as it shares the broader Allied legacy of that conflict.
Context: A Fragile History of Ceasefires
If implemented, the three-day pause would mark one of the most significant coordinated halts in fighting since the conflict escalated. Previous attempts at temporary truces have often been fragile and short-lived, collapsing within hours of announcement. Both sides have faced mounting international pressure to explore diplomatic options, even as combat has continued across multiple fronts.
Broader Peace Talks Still Ongoing
Trump framed the ceasefire as a stepping stone rather than a resolution. "Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War," he said. He also signalled that wider negotiations remain active. "Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day," Trump said. The announcement does not yet represent a formal peace framework, and the durability of even this brief pause remains to be seen.
Point of View
000-prisoner swap is the most concrete deliverable here; everything else hinges on whether both militaries actually stand down. Trump's framing of this as 'the beginning of the end' is premature: past ceasefires in this conflict have collapsed within hours, and no formal framework for a lasting settlement has been announced. The real test is Day 2 and Day 3 — not the announcement.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire announced by Trump?
It is a three-day pause in fighting between Russia and Ukraine covering 9, 10, and 11 May 2025, announced by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire includes a suspension of all combat operations and a prisoner exchange of 1,000 individuals from each country.
Why was the ceasefire timed to Russia's Victory Day?
Trump linked the ceasefire to Russia's Victory Day on 9 May, which commemorates the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. He also noted Ukraine's own role in that conflict, framing the timing as symbolically relevant to both nations.
Have Russia and Ukraine agreed to ceasefires before?
Yes, previous attempts at temporary truces during the conflict have been made but have generally proven fragile and short-lived, often breaking down within hours. This makes the implementation of even a three-day pause a significant test of both sides' commitment.
What happens after the three-day ceasefire ends?
Trump indicated that broader peace negotiations are ongoing, describing them as moving 'closer and closer every day.' However, no formal peace framework or extended truce agreement has been announced beyond the three-day window.
Who does the prisoner swap involve?
Both Russia and Ukraine have reportedly agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each as part of the ceasefire deal, making it one of the largest such exchanges proposed since the conflict began.
