Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner swap in what US President Donald Trump described as a potential step towards wider peace negotiations.
The US president wrote on Truth Social on Friday (8 May) that the three-day “suspension of all kinetic activity” is set to run from 9–11 May, coinciding with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations.
“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought war,” Trump said, adding that talks to permanently end the conflict were “continuing”.
“We are getting closer and closer every day,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed preparations for the exchange, saying Kyiv remained focused on returning Ukrainian citizens from captivity.
Key developments include:
- A proposed three-day pause in military activity between Russia and Ukraine
- An agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side
- Continued US-led diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war
- Ongoing scepticism from EU officials over Moscow’s willingness to negotiate
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said peace efforts had “stagnated”, while EU officials urged Russia to move from “pretending to negotiate” to substantive talks.
“While we’re prepared to play whatever role we can to bring it to a peaceful diplomatic resolution, unfortunately, right now those efforts have stagnated,” Rubio said. “But we always stand ready if those circumstances change.”
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