UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, along with a planned 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, as the two warring nations agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities from 9 to 11 May 2025. The development marks one of the most significant pauses in active combat since the war began, coinciding with Russia's Victory Day commemorations.

UN Secretary-General's Statement

Guterres' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric issued a formal statement welcoming the agreement. "The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate, full, unconditional and lasting ceasefire, as a first step toward a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions," Dujarric said.

The statement signals the UN's cautious optimism, framing the three-day pause not as an end in itself but as a potential opening for broader negotiations. The organisation has repeatedly called for a durable peace framework anchored in international law.

Trump Claims Credit for the Agreement

US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire agreement, describing it as a possible step toward ending the long-running conflict. "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.

Trump stated that the initiative was driven directly by him. "This request was made directly by me," he said, expressing appreciation to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the terms. He noted that the ceasefire would include a complete suspension of combat operations: "This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity."

The Prisoner Exchange

As part of the agreement, both sides committed to a "thousand-for-thousand" prisoner swap — one of the largest such exchanges since the conflict escalated. "And also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country," Trump confirmed. If executed in full, the exchange would represent a significant humanitarian development amid an otherwise grinding war of attrition.

Context and Significance

The ceasefire window coincides with Russia's Victory Day on 9 May, marking the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Trump acknowledged Ukraine's own historical role in that conflict, stating: "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."

Notably, this comes amid sustained international pressure on both sides to de-escalate, with the United Nations, the European Union, and several neutral states having called for a negotiated settlement. The ceasefire, however limited in duration, is being watched closely as a potential indicator of whether a longer truce is politically feasible. All eyes now turn to whether the pause holds and whether it translates into substantive peace talks.