Trump announced a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia: what does it entail?
8 May 22:21
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. According to him, the agreement calls for a cessation of all hostilities, as well as a prisoner exchange of 1,000 for 1,000. The White House chief made the announcement on the social media platform Truth Social, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to him, the ceasefire is to be in effect on May 9, 10, and 11.
“The ceasefire will include a cessation of all hostilities and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war from each country. The request was made directly by me, and I greatly appreciate its approval by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” the U.S. president noted.
Separately, Trump expressed hope that the decision would mark “the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and difficult war.”
He also added that negotiations to end the war are ongoing, and the parties are “getting closer to a resolution every day.”
Zelenskyy confirmed the ceasefire and the 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the agreement on a ceasefire from May 9–11 and announced a prisoner exchange in a 1,000-for-1,000 format.
According to the head of state, the agreement was reached as part of the negotiation process mediated by the U.S.
“Today, as part of the negotiation process mediated by the U.S., we received Russia’s agreement to conduct a prisoner of war exchange on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis. A ceasefire is also to be established on May 9, 10, and 11,” Zelenskyy noted.
The president added that Ukraine is consistently working to return its citizens from Russian captivity and has already instructed his team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange.
Why Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire
Zelenskyy explained that a key factor for Ukraine was resolving one of the war’s most critical humanitarian issues—the release of prisoners of war.
He also emphasized the principle of reciprocity, which, according to the president, is well known and has been made clear to the Russian side.
“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war who can be brought home,” Zelenskyy stated.
This statement came amid Russia’s preparations for May 9 events and earlier reports of tensions surrounding a possible “ceasefire.”
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What the ceasefire should look like
According to statements by Trump and Zelenskyy, the three-day ceasefire should entail a complete cessation of hostilities from May 9 to 11.
Key terms of the agreement:
- a three-day ceasefire;
- cessation of hostilities;
- an exchange of prisoners of war on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis;
- preparation of technical and humanitarian procedures for the return of people.
At the same time, the situation remains delicate, as previous attempts at a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have repeatedly been accompanied by mutual accusations of violations.
Earlier, Zelenskyy had already announced a ceasefire starting on the night of May 5–6, but Ukraine reported that attacks from the Russian side continued.
Zelenskyy reported that the Russian side had violated the ceasefire that Ukraine had declared starting May 6. The initiated “quiet period” was supposed to begin on the night of May 5–6, but, according to the Ukrainian side, Russian troops continued their attacks.
New reports of shelling, assaults, and drone strikes, according to the president, confirm that Russia’s claims of a ceasefire were not actually implemented on the front lines.
What does a 1,000-for-1,000 exchange mean?
A 1,000-for-1,000 exchange could be one of the most significant humanitarian steps since the full-scale war began. For Ukraine, the return of prisoners of war remains one of the most critical issues, as it concerns soldiers who have been held in Russian captivity for a long time.
Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. president and his team for their diplomatic efforts in reaching the agreement. According to the president, the Ukrainian side is already preparing everything necessary to carry out the exchange.
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