United States President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, expressing hope that the temporary truce could pave the way for a permanent end to the war.
The ceasefire, scheduled to begin on Saturday, comes after Russia earlier declared a unilateral two-day halt in hostilities to coincide with its May 9 Victory Day celebrations marking the Soviet Union’s triumph in World War II. Ukraine had also proposed a truce in recent days, but Kyiv accused Moscow of ignoring the offer.
Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to broker peace in the conflict, disclosed that the pause in fighting would run from May 9 to May 11 and would include a major prisoner exchange involving 1,000 captives from each side.
“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 on his Truth Social platform.
“This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” the US president added.
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War.”
Despite the announcement, hostilities continued on Friday as both countries exchanged fresh attacks ahead of the ceasefire.
Ukraine had earlier rejected Moscow’s temporary truce proposal, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to secure calm only to ensure the success of the annual Victory Day military parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
Kyiv also maintained that the Kremlin ignored its own proposal for a short-term ceasefire earlier in the week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had described the proposal as a test of Russia’s willingness to seriously pursue a pause in the conflict.
Russia warned that any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt the Victory Day celebrations would trigger a heavy strike on Kyiv, while also advising foreign diplomats to temporarily leave the Ukrainian capital.
Still, many residents in Kyiv appeared unmoved by the threats.
“Nothing new will happen,” 40-year-old bank worker Vasyl Kobzar told AFP. “I’m worried, but it’s become routine, unfortunately.”
A Ukrainian lawmaker, who spoke anonymously, said authorities had not introduced additional emergency security measures. “We’re just giving (the Russians) the finger,” the lawmaker said.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 67 drones overnight — the lowest figure recorded in nearly a month.
“Despite the declared ceasefire, the enemy has not reduced the intensity of assault operations,” Zelensky said, noting that Ukrainian forces were responding accordingly.
Russia, on its part, said it intercepted more than 400 Ukrainian drones since midnight, including around 100 aimed at Moscow, adding that its military was “responding symmetrically”.
Authorities in the Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Kherson region said a Ukrainian drone strike killed a 41-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter.
Zelensky also praised a Ukrainian strike on an oil depot in Russia’s Yaroslavl region, located northeast of Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russia’s transport ministry said 13 airports in the country’s south were temporarily shut after a Ukrainian drone reportedly struck an air navigation facility in Rostov-on-Don. Flight operations were later partially restored.