US President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after both countries accused each other of violating separate ceasefires declared by each side to cover the celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
“This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity and also a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” the US president said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s participation, while Russian state media also said Russia had agreed to the proposal.
Earlier, both sides claimed the other had continued to strike their positions, and Moscow’s mayor stated the city had been attacked by drones overnight.
In his message, Trump stated that he personally requested the three-day truce and that “I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.”
Putin had declared a ceasefire from May 8 to 9, ahead of Saturday’s Victory Day celebrations. Kyiv has previously announced an indefinite cease-fire beginning on May 6.
Russia has cautioned Ukraine against attempting to attack the Victory Day procession in Red Square.
Its defense ministry has threatened to launch a “retaliatory, massive missile strike” on the center of Kyiv if Moscow is attacked. It has warned foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital before 9 May.
